Internalizing human monoclonal antibodies targeting prostate and other cancer cells

ABSTRACT

In various embodiments various cancer specific antibodies and immunoconjugates are provided. In certain embodiments the antibodies specifically bind and are internalized into a prostate cancer cell, where the antibodies specifically binds cells that express or overexpress a CD46, and where the antibodies specifically bind sushi domain 1 of said CD46 (CD46 CPP1).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Division of U.S. Ser. No. 14/205,101, filed Mar.11, 2014, which claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Ser. No.61/785,118, filed Mar. 14, 2013, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety for all purposes.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSOREDRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with government support under grant no. R01CA118919, awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The governmenthas certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND

Due to ease of accessibility, tumor cell surface antigens are invaluabletargets for therapeutic development. The epitope space at the cellsurface is highly complex. Relevant antigens may include glycosylatedproteins and other post-translationally modified products that may notbe readily predicted from studies of genomic copy number or mRNAexpression levels (Liu et al. (2004) Cancer Res. 64: 704-710; Kobata andAmano (2005) Immunol. Cell Biol. 83: 429-439; Birkle et al. (2003)Biochimie (Paris) 85: 455-463; Hakomori (2001) Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 491:369-402; Hanisch, F. G. (2001) O-Glycosylation of the mucin type. Biol.Chem. 382, 143-1 49; Ugorski and Laskowska (2002) Acta Biochim. Pol. 49:303-311).

Identification of tumor cell surface epitopes allows the production ofantibodies to achieve specific binding to neoplastic cells, an abilitythat can be utilized in applications such as induction ofantibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (see, e.g., Clynes et al. (2000)Nat. Med. 6: 443-446), or inhibition of signaling pathways involved intumor cell migration, growth, and survival (see, e.g., McWhirter et al.(2006) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 103: 1041-1 046; Fuh et al. (2006)J. Biol. Chem. 281: 6625-6631). In addition, antibodies targetinginternalizing tumor epitopes can be exploited to achieve efficient andspecific intracellular delivery of cytotoxins, cytostatic agents,chemotherapeutic drugs and/or other tumor-modulating agents (see, e.g.,Liu et al. (2004) Cancer Res. 64: 704-710; Nielsen et al. (2002)Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1591: 109-118; Pirollo et al. (2006) Hum. GeneTher. 17: 117-124; Song et al. (2005) Nat. Biotechnol. 23:709-717; Liuet al. (2002) J. Mol. Biol. 315: 1063-1073).

Phage antibody display has been widely used to develop cancer-specificantibodies (see, e.g., Liu et al. (2004) Cancer Res. 64: 704-710; Liuand Marks (2000) Anal. Biochem. 286: 119-128; 15. Marks et al. (1992)Biotechnology (N. Y.) 10: 779-783; Marks et al. (1991) J. Mol. Biol.222: 581-597; Marks et al. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267: 16007-16010;Sharon et al. (2005) J. Cell. Biochem. 96: 305-313; Silacci et al.(2005) Proteomics 5: 2340-2350; Gao et al. (2003) J. Immunol. Methods274: 185-197; Lekkerkerker and Logtenberg (1999) J. Immunol. Meth., 231:53-63; de Kruif et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 92:3938-3942; Pini et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273: 21 769-21 776). Acombinatorial phage antibody library serves as a source of random shaperepertoire that can be used to probe neoplastic variations on thesurface of cancer cells (see, e.g., Liu et al. (2004) Cancer Res. 64:704-710; Geuij en et al. (2005) Eur. J. Cancer 41: 178-187; Poul et al.(2000) J. Mol. Biol. 301: 1149-1161; Cai and Garen (1995) Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci., USA, 92: 6537-6541). Selecting phage antibody librariesdirectly on cancer cell lines enables the identification oftumor-targeting antibodies without prior knowledge of target antigenssee, e.g., (Liu et al. (2004) Cancer Res. 64: 704-710; Gao et al. (2003)J. Immunol. Methods 274: 185-197; Geuijen et al. (2005) Eur. J. Cancer41: 178-187; Poul et al. (2000) J. Mol. Biol. 301: 1149-1161).

Although numerous antibodies have been found by this approach, thescreening process against cell lines does not provide an ideal pictureas to how specific these antibodies will be to actual cancer cells inpatient populations. Nor does it necessarily provide an indication ofwhether or not the antibodies will internalize in vivo.

SUMMARY

In various aspects, the invention(s) contemplated herein may include,but need not be limited to, any one or more of the followingembodiments:

Embodiment 1: An isolated antibody that specifically binds and isinternalized into a prostate cancer cell, wherein: said antibody is anantibody that specifically binds cells that express or overexpress aCD46, wherein said antibody specifically binds sushi domain 1 of saidCD46; and said antibody does not comprise VH CDR1, VH CDR2, VH CDR3, VLCDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3 of the following antibodies: 3051.1, G12FC3,M6c42b, 4F3YW, M40pr146, UA20, UAB, 585II41, 585II41.1, 585II56, 3076,3051, M49R, RCI-14, II79_4, II79_3, T5II-4B.1, T5II-4B.2, RCI-11,RCI-20, CI-11A, CI-14A, S95-2, and mPA7.

Embodiment 2: The antibody of embodiment 1, wherein said antibody bindsto at least a portion of the sushi domain 1 including the amino acidsequence KPYYEIGERVDYKCKKGYFYIPPLATHTICDR (SEQ ID NO:1).

Embodiment 3: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-2,wherein said cells that express or overexpress a CD46 are prostatecancer cells.

Embodiment 4: The antibody of embodiment 3, wherein said antibody bindcells of a cell line selected from the group consisting of DU145 cells,PC3 cells, and LnCaP cells.

Embodiment 5: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-4,wherein said antibody binds to a prostate tumor cell with an affinity(KD) of at least about 5 nM when measured on live prostate tumor cellsby FACS.

Embodiment 6: The antibody of embodiment 5, wherein said antibody bindsto a prostate tumor cell with an affinity (KD) of at least about 3 nMwhen measured on live prostate tumor cells by FACS.

Embodiment 7: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-6,wherein said antibody is a substantially intact immunoglobulin.

Embodiment 8: The antibody of embodiment 7, wherein said antibodyincludes an IgA, IgE, or IgG.

Embodiment 9: The antibody of embodiment 7, wherein said antibodyincludes an IgG1.

Embodiment 10: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-6,wherein said antibody is an antibody fragment that specifically bindscells that express or overexpress a CD46.

Embodiment 11: The antibody of embodiment 10, wherein said antibody isan antibody fragment selected from the group consisting of Fv, Fab,(Fab′)2, (Fab′)3, IgGΔCH2, and a minibody.

Embodiment 12: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-6,wherein said antibody is a single chain antibody.

Embodiment 13: The antibody of embodiment 12, wherein the VL region ofsaid antibody is attached to the VH region of said antibody by an aminoacid linker ranging in length from about 3 amino acids up to about 15amino acids.

Embodiment 14: The antibody of embodiment 12, wherein the VL region ofsaid antibody is attached to the VH region of said antibody by an aminoacid linker selected from the group consisting of GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS (SEQID NO:2), GGGGS GGGGS (SEQ ID NO:3), GGGGS (SEQ ID NO:4), GS GGGGS GGGGSGGS GGGGS (SEQ ID NO:5), SGGGGS (SEQ ID NO:6), GGGS (SEQ ID NO:7), VPGV(SEQ ID NO:8), VPGVG (SEQ ID NO:9), GVPGVG (SEQ ID NO:10), GVG VP GVG(SEQ ID NO:11), VP GVG VP GVG (SEQ ID NO:12), GGSSRSS (SEQ ID NO:13),and GGSSRSSSSGGGGSGGGG (SEQ ID NO:14).

Embodiment 15: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-14,wherein said antibody includes VH CDR1, and/or VH CDR2, and/or VH CDR3of the 2B10 antibody.

Embodiment 16: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-14,wherein said antibody includes VL CDR1, and/or VL CDR2, and/or VL CDR3of the 2B10 antibody.

Embodiment 17: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-14,wherein said antibody includes VH CDR1, and VH CDR2, and VH CDR3 of the2B10 antibody.

Embodiment 18: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-14,wherein said antibody includes VL CDR1, and VL CDR2, and VL CDR3 of the2B10 antibody.

Embodiment 19: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-14,wherein said antibody includes the variable light (VL) chain of the 2B10antibody.

Embodiment 20: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-14,wherein said antibody includes the variable heavy (VH) chain of the 2B10antibody.

Embodiment 21: The antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-14,wherein said antibody includes the variable light (VL) chain of the 2B10antibody and the variable heavy (VH) chain of the 2B10 antibody.

Embodiment 22: The antibody of embodiment 1, wherein said antibody is ahuman 2B10 scFv.

Embodiment 23: The antibody of embodiment 1, wherein said antibody is ahuman 2B10 IgG.

Embodiment 24: A immunoconjugate including an antibody according to anyone of embodiments 1-23 attached to an effector wherein said effector isselected from the group consisting of a second antibody, a detectablelabel, a cytotoxin or cytostatic agent, a liposome containing a drug, aradionuclide, a drug, a prodrug, a viral particle, a cytokine, and achelate.

Embodiment 25: The immunoconjugate of embodiment 24, wherein saidantibody is attached to a cytotoxin.

Embodiment 26: The immunoconjugate of embodiment 25, wherein saidantibody is attached to a cytotoxin selected from the group consistingof a Diphtheria toxin, a Pseudomonas exotoxin, a ricin, an abrin,saporin, and a thymidine kinase.

Embodiment 27: The immunoconjugate of embodiment 24, wherein saidantibody is attached to a cytotoxic and/or cytostatic drug.

Embodiment 28: The immunoconjugate of embodiment 25, wherein saidantibody is attached directly or through a linker to one or more of thefollowing: said drug a lipid or liposome containing said drug; apolymeric drug carrier including said drug; and a nanoparticle drugcarrier including said drug.

Embodiment 29: The immunoconjugate according to any one of embodiments27-28, wherein said drug is an anti-cancer drug.

Embodiment 30: The immunoconjugate according to any one of embodiments27-28, wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting ofauristatin, dolastatin, colchicine, combretastatin, and mTOR/PI3Kinhibitors.

Embodiment 31: The immunoconjugate according to any one of embodiments27-28, wherein said drug is monomethyl auristatin F.

Embodiment 32: The immunoconjugate according to any one of embodiments27-28, wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting offlourouracil (5-FU), capecitabine, 5-trifluoromethyl-2′-deoxyuridine,methotrexate sodium, raltitrexed, pemetrexed, cytosine Arabinoside,6-mercaptopurine, azathioprine, 6-thioguanine (6-TG), pentostatin,fludarabine phosphate, cladribine, floxuridine (5-fluoro-2),ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor (RNR), cyclophosphamide, neosar,ifosfamide, thiotepa, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitosourea (BCNU),1,-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-lnitrosourea, methyl (CCNU),hexamethylmelamine, busulfan, procarbazine HCL, dacarbazine (DTIC),chlorambucil, melphalan, cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin,bendamustine, carmustine, chloromethine, dacarbazine (DTIC),fotemustine, lomustine, mannosulfan, nedaplatin, nimustine,prednimustine, ranimustine, satraplatin, semustine, streptozocin,temozolomide, treosulfan, triaziquone, triethylene melamine, thioTEPA,triplatin tetranitrate, trofosfamide, uramustine, doxorubicin,daunorubicin citrate, mitoxantrone, actinomycin D, etoposide, topotecanHCL, teniposide (VM-26), irinotecan HCL (CPT-11), camptothecin,belotecan, rubitecan, vincristine, vinblastine sulfate, vinorelbinetartrate, vindesine sulphate, paclitaxel, docetaxel, nanoparticlepaclitaxel, abraxane, ixabepilone, larotaxel, ortataxel, tesetaxel, andvinflunine.

Embodiment 33: The immunoconjugate according to any one of embodiments27-28, wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting ofcarboplatin, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, docetaxel, doxorubicin,erlotinib, etoposide, gemcitabine, imatinib mesylate, irinotecan,methotrexate, sorafinib, sunitinib, topotecan, vinblastine, andvincristine.

Embodiment 34: The immunoconjugate according to any one of embodiments27-28, wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting ofretinoic acid, a retinoic acid derivative, doxirubicin, vinblastine,vincristine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, acamptothecin derivative, interferon, tamoxifen, and taxol. In certainembodiments the anti-cancer compound is selected from the groupconsisting of abraxane, doxorubicin, pamidronate disodium, anastrozole,exemestane, cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, toremifene, letrozole,trastuzumab, megestroltamoxifen, paclitaxel, docetaxel, capecitabine,goserelin acetate, and zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 35: The immunoconjugate of embodiment 24, wherein saidantibody is attached to a chelate including an isotope selected from thegroup consisting of 99Tc, 203Pb, 67Ga, 68Ga, 72As, 111In, 113In, 97Ru,62Cu, 641Cu, 52Fe, 52Mn, 51Cr, 186, Re, 188Re, 77As, 90Y, 67Cu, 169Er,121Sn, 127Te, 142Pr, 143Pr, 198Au, 199Au, 161Tb, 109Pd, 165Dy, 149Pm,151Pm, 153Sm, 157Gd, 159Gd, 166Ho, 172Tm, 169Yb, 175Yb, 177Lu, 105Rh,and 111Ag.

Embodiment 36: The immunoconjugate of embodiment 24, wherein saidantibody is attached to an alpha emitter.

Embodiment 37: The immunoconjugate of embodiment 36, wherein said alphaemitter is bismuth 213.

Embodiment 38: The immunoconjugate of embodiment 24, wherein saidantibody is attached to a lipid or a liposome complexed with orcontaining an anti-cancer drug.

Embodiment 39: The immunoconjugate of embodiment 24, wherein saidantibody is attached to a detectable label.

Embodiment 40: The immunoconjugate of embodiment 39, wherein saidantibody is attached to a detectable label selected from the groupconsisting of a radioactive label, a radioopaque label, an MRI label,and a PET label.

Embodiment 41: A pharmaceutical formulation said formulation including:a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and an antibody according to anyone of embodiments 1-23; and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable excipientand a immunoconjugate according to any one of embodiments 24-40.

Embodiment 42: The pharmaceutical formulation of embodiment 41, whereinsaid formulation is a unit dosage formulation.

Embodiment 43: The formulation according to any one of embodiments41-42, wherein said formulation is formulated for administration via aroute selected from the group consisting of oral administration, nasaladministration, rectal administration, intraperitoneal injection,intravascular injection, subcutaneous injection, transcutaneousadministration, and intramuscular injection.

Embodiment 44: A method of inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation ofa cancer cell that expresses or overexpresses CD46, said methodincluding: contacting said cancer cell with a immunoconjugate includingan antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-23 attached to aneffector that has cytostatic and/or cytotoxic activity.

Embodiment 45: The method of embodiment 44, wherein said effectorincludes one or more of the following: a cytotoxic and/or cytostaticdrug; a lipid or liposome containing a cytotoxic and/or cytostatic drug;a polymeric drug carrier including a cytotoxic and/or cytostatic drug;and a nanoparticle drug carrier including a cytotoxic and/or cytostaticdrug.

Embodiment 46: The method of embodiment 44, wherein said drug is ananti-cancer drug.

Embodiment 47: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-46,wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting of auristatin,dolastatin, colchicine, combretastatin, and mTOR/PI3K inhibitors.

Embodiment 48: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-46,wherein said drug is monomethyl auristatin F.

Embodiment 49: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-46,wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting of flourouracil(5-FU), capecitabine, 5-trifluoromethyl-2′-deoxyuridine, methotrexatesodium, raltitrexed, pemetrexed, cytosine Arabinoside, 6-mercaptopurine,azathioprine, 6-thioguanine (6-TG), pentostatin, fludarabine phosphate,cladribine, floxuridine (5-fluoro-2), ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor(RNR), cyclophosphamide, neosar, ifosfamide, thiotepa,1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitosourea (BCNU),1,-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-lnitrosourea, methyl (CCNU),hexamethylmelamine, busulfan, procarbazine HCL, dacarbazine (DTIC),chlorambucil, melphalan, cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin,bendamustine, carmustine, chloromethine, dacarbazine (DTIC),fotemustine, lomustine, mannosulfan, nedaplatin, nimustine,prednimustine, ranimustine, satraplatin, semustine, streptozocin,temozolomide, treosulfan, triaziquone, triethylene melamine, thioTEPA,triplatin tetranitrate, trofosfamide, uramustine, doxorubicin,daunorubicin citrate, mitoxantrone, actinomycin D, etoposide, topotecanHCL, teniposide (VM-26), irinotecan HCL (CPT-11), camptothecin,belotecan, rubitecan, vincristine, vinblastine sulfate, vinorelbinetartrate, vindesine sulphate, paclitaxel, docetaxel, nanoparticlepaclitaxel, abraxane, ixabepilone, larotaxel, ortataxel, tesetaxel, andvinflunine.

Embodiment 50: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-46,wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting of carboplatin,cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, docetaxel, doxorubicin, erlotinib,etoposide, gemcitabine, imatinib mesylate, irinotecan, methotrexate,sorafinib, sunitinib, topotecan, vinblastine, and vincristine.

Embodiment 51: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-46,wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting of retinoicacid, a retinoic acid derivative, doxirubicin, vinblastine, vincristine,cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, a camptothecinderivative, interferon, tamoxifen, and taxol. In certain embodiments theanti-cancer compound is selected from the group consisting of abraxane,doxorubicin, pamidronate disodium, anastrozole, exemestane,cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, toremifene, letrozole, trastuzumab,megestroltamoxifen, paclitaxel, docetaxel, capecitabine, goserelinacetate, and zoledronic acid.

Embodiment 52: The method of embodiment 44, wherein said effectorincludes a cytotoxin.

Embodiment 53: The method of embodiment 52, wherein said cytotoxin isselected from the group consisting of Diphtheria toxin, Pseudomonasexotoxin, ricin, abrin, saporin, and thymidine kinase.

Embodiment 54: The method of embodiment 44, wherein said effectorincludes a radionuclide.

Embodiment 55: The method of embodiment 44, wherein said effectorincludes an anti-cancer drug.

Embodiment 56: The method of embodiment 55, wherein said anticancer drugis conjugated to said antibody.

Embodiment 57: The method of embodiment 55, wherein said anticancer drugis contained in a lipid or liposome attached to said antibody.

Embodiment 58: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-57,wherein said cancer cell is selected from the group consisting ofovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, coloncancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, mesothelioma, lymphoma, livercancer, urothelial cancer, stomach cancer, and cervical cancer.

Embodiment 59: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-57,wherein said cancer cell is a prostate cancer cell.

Embodiment 60: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-59,wherein said cell is a metastatic cell.

Embodiment 61: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-59,wherein said cell is a solid tumor cell.

Embodiment 62: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-61,wherein said immunoconjugate is administered in a pharmaceuticalcomposition including a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.

Embodiment 63: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-62,wherein said administering includes administering to a human.

Embodiment 64: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-62,wherein said administering includes administering to a non-human mammal.

Embodiment 65: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-64,wherein said administering includes administering parenterally.

Embodiment 66: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-64,wherein said administering includes administering into a tumor or asurgical site.

Embodiment 67: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-66,wherein said immunoconjugate is administered as an adjunct therapy tosurgery and/or radiotherapy.

Embodiment 68: The method according to any one of embodiments 44-66,wherein said immunoconjugate is administered in conjunction with anotheranti-cancer drug and/or a hormone.

Embodiment 69: A method of detecting a cancer cell, said methodincluding: contacting said cancer cell with a immunoconjugate includingan antibody according to any one of embodiments 1-23 attached to adetectable label; and detecting the presence and/or location of saiddetectable label where the presence and/or location is an indicator ofthe location and/or presence of a prostate cancer cell.

Embodiment 70: The method of embodiment 69, wherein said label includesa label selected from the group consisting of a radioactive label, aradioopaque label, an MRI label, and a PET label.

Embodiment 71: The method of embodiment 69, wherein said detectablelabel is selected from the group consisting of a gamma-emitter, apositron-emitter, an x-ray emitter, an alpha emitter, and afluorescence-emitter.

Embodiment 72: The method according to any one of embodiments 69-71,wherein said cancer cell is selected from the group consisting ofovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, coloncancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, mesothelioma, lymphoma, livercancer, urothelial cancer, stomach cancer, and cervical cancer.

Embodiment 73: The method according to any one of embodiments 69-72,wherein said contacting includes administering said immunoconjugate to anon-human mammal.

Embodiment 74: The method according to any one of embodiments 69-72,wherein said contacting includes administering said immunoconjugate to ahuman.

Embodiment 75: The method according to any one of embodiments 73-74,wherein said detecting includes detecting said label in vivo.

Embodiment 76: The method of embodiment 75, wherein said detectingincludes using a detection method selected from the group consisting ofX-ray, PET, MRI, and CAT.

Embodiment 77: A nucleic acid encoding an antibody or a fragment of anantibody according to any of embodiments 1-23.

Embodiment 78: An expression vector including the nucleic acid ofembodiment 77.

Embodiment 79: A cell including the expression vector of embodiment 78.

DEFINITIONS

The terms “polypeptide”, “peptide” and “protein” are usedinterchangeably herein to refer to a polymer of amino acid residues. Theterms apply to amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acidresidue is an artificial chemical analogue of a corresponding naturallyoccurring amino acid, as well as to naturally occurring amino acidpolymers. The term also includes variants on the traditional peptidelinkage joining the amino acids making up the polypeptide.

The terms “nucleic acid” or “oligonucleotide” or grammatical equivalentsherein refer to at least two nucleotides covalently linked together. Anucleic acid of the present invention is preferably single-stranded ordouble stranded and will generally contain phosphodiester bonds,although in some cases, as outlined below, nucleic acid analogs areincluded that may have alternate backbones, comprising, for example,phosphoramide (Beaucage et al. (1993) Tetrahedron 49(10):1925) andreferences therein; Letsinger (1970) J. Org. Chem. 35:3800; Sprinzl etal. (1977) Eur. J. Biochem. 81: 579; Letsinger et al. (1986) Nucl. AcidsRes. 14: 3487; Sawai et al. (1984) Chem. Lett. 805, Letsinger et al.(1988) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 110: 4470; and Pauwels et al. (1986) ChemicaScripta 26: 1419), phosphorothioate (Mag et al. (1991) Nucleic AcidsRes. 19:1437; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,048), phosphorodithioate (Briu etal. (1989) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111:2321, O-methylphophoroamidite linkages(see Eckstein, Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach,Oxford University Press), and peptide nucleic acid backbones andlinkages (see Egholm (1992) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 114:1895; Meier et al.(1992) Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 31: 1008; Nielsen (1993) Nature, 365: 566;Carlsson et al. (1996) Nature 380: 207). Other analog nucleic acidsinclude those with positive backbones (Denpcy et al. (1995) Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA 92: 6097; non-ionic backbones (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,386,023,5,637,684, 5,602,240, 5,216,141 and 4,469,863; Angew. (1991) Chem. Intl.Ed. English 30: 423; Letsinger et al. (1988) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 110:4470;Letsinger et al. (1994) Nucleoside & Nucleotide 13:1597; Chapters 2 and3, ASC Symposium Series 580, “Carbohydrate Modifications in AntisenseResearch”, Ed. Y. S. Sanghui and P. Dan Cook; Mesmaeker et al. (1994),Bioorganic & Medicinal Chem. Lett. 4: 395; Jeffs et al. (1994) J.Biomolecular NMR 34:17; Tetrahedron Lett. 37:743 (1996)) and non-ribosebackbones, including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,235,033 and5,034,506, and Chapters 6 and 7, ASC Symposium Series 580, CarbohydrateModifications in Antisense Research, Ed. Y. S. Sanghui and P. Dan Cook.Nucleic acids containing one or more carbocyclic sugars are alsoincluded within the definition of nucleic acids (see Jenkins et al.(1995), Chem. Soc. Rev. pp 169-176). Several nucleic acid analogs aredescribed in Rawls, C & E News Jun. 2, 1997 page 35. These modificationsof the ribose-phosphate backbone may be done to facilitate the additionof additional moieties such as labels, or to increase the stability andhalf-life of such molecules in physiological environments.

The term “residue” as used herein refers to natural, synthetic, ormodified amino acids.

As used herein, an “antibody” refers to a protein consisting of one ormore polypeptides substantially encoded by immunoglobulin genes orfragments of immunoglobulin genes. The recognized immunoglobulin genesinclude the kappa, lambda, alpha, gamma, delta, epsilon and mu constantregion genes, as well as myriad immunoglobulin variable region genes.Light chains are classified as either kappa or lambda. Heavy chains areclassified as gamma, mu, alpha, delta, or epsilon, which in turn definethe immunoglobulin classes, IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE, respectively.

A typical immunoglobulin (antibody) structural unit is known to comprisea tetramer. Each tetramer is composed of two identical pairs ofpolypeptide chains, each pair having one “light” (about 25 kD) and one“heavy” chain (about 50-70 kD). The N-terminus of each chain defines avariable region of about 100 to 110 or more amino acids primarilyresponsible for antigen recognition. The terms variable light chain(V_(L)) and variable heavy chain (V_(H)) refer to these light and heavychains respectively.

Antibodies exist as intact immunoglobulins or as a number of wellcharacterized fragments produced by digestion with various peptidases.Thus, for example, pepsin digests an antibody below the disulfidelinkages in the hinge region to produce F(ab)′₂, a dimer of Fab whichitself is a light chain joined to V_(H)-C_(H)1 by a disulfide bond. TheF(ab)′₂ may be reduced under mild conditions to break the disulfidelinkage in the hinge region thereby converting the (Fab′)₂ dimer into aFab′ monomer. The Fab′ monomer is essentially a Fab with part of thehinge region (see, Fundamental Immunology, W. E. Paul, ed., Raven Press,N.Y. (1993), for a more detailed description of other antibodyfragments). While various antibody fragments are defined in terms of thedigestion of an intact antibody, one of skill will appreciate that suchFab′ fragments may be synthesized de novo either chemically or byutilizing recombinant DNA methodology. Thus, the term antibody, as usedherein also includes antibody fragments either produced by themodification of whole antibodies or synthesized de novo usingrecombinant DNA methodologies. Certain preferred antibodies includesingle chain antibodies (antibodies that exist as a single polypeptidechain), more preferably single chain Fv antibodies (sFv or scFv) inwhich a variable heavy and a variable light chain are joined together(directly or through a peptide linker) to form a continuous polypeptide.The single chain Fv antibody is a covalently linked V_(H-)V_(L)heterodimer which may be expressed from a nucleic acid including V_(H)-and V_(L)-encoding sequences either joined directly or joined by apeptide-encoding linker. Huston, et al. (1988) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci.USA, 85: 5879-5883. While the V_(H) and V_(L) are connected to each as asingle polypeptide chain, the V_(H) and V_(L) domains associatenon-covalently. The first functional antibody molecules to be expressedon the surface of filamentous phage were single-chain Fv′s (scFv),however, alternative expression strategies have also been successful.For example Fab molecules can be displayed on phage if one of the chains(heavy or light) is fused to g3 capsid protein and the complementarychain exported to the periplasm as a soluble molecule. The two chainscan be encoded on the same or on different replicons; the importantpoint is that the two antibody chains in each Fab molecule assemblepost-translationally and the dimer is incorporated into the phageparticle via linkage of one of the chains to, e.g., g3p (see, e.g., U.S.Pat. No. 5,733,743). The scFv antibodies and a number of otherstructures converting the naturally aggregated, but chemically separatedlight and heavy polypeptide chains from an antibody V region into amolecule that folds into a three dimensional structure substantiallysimilar to the structure of an antigen-binding site are known to thoseof skill in the art (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,091,513, 5,132,405, and4,956,778). Particularly preferred antibodies should include all thathave been displayed on phage (e.g., scFv, Fv, Fab and disulfide linkedFv (Reiter et al. (1995) Protein Eng. 8: 1323-1331).

The term “specifically binds”, as used herein, when referring to abiomolecule (e.g., protein, nucleic acid, antibody, etc.), refers to abinding reaction that is determinative of the presence biomolecule inheterogeneous population of molecules (e.g., proteins and otherbiologics). Thus, under designated conditions (e.g. immunoassayconditions in the case of an antibody or stringent hybridizationconditions in the case of a nucleic acid), the specified ligand orantibody binds to its particular “target” molecule and does not bind ina significant amount to other molecules present in the sample.

The phrase “inhibition of proliferation of a cell expressing CD46” asused herein, refers to the ability of an anti-CD46 CPP1 antibody orimmunoconjugate described herein decrease, preferably to statisticallysignificantly decrease proliferation of a cell expressing CD46 relativeto the proliferation in the absence of the antibody or immunoconjugate.In one embodiment, the proliferation of a cell expressing CD46 (e.g., acancer cell) may be decreased by at least 10%, or at least 20%, or atleast 30%, or at least 40%, or at least 50%, or at least 60%, or atleast 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or 100% when the cells arecontacted with the antibody or antigen binding portion thereof or animmunoconjugate described herein, relative to the proliferation measuredin the absence of the antibody or antigen binding portion thereof orimmunoconjugate(control). Cellular proliferation can be assayed usingart recognized techniques which measure rate of cell division, thefraction of cells within a cell population undergoing cell division,and/or rate of cell loss from a cell population due to terminaldifferentiation or cell death (e.g., using a cell titer glow assay orthymidine incorporation).

The phrase “inhibition of the migration of cells expressing CD46” asused herein, refers to the ability of an anti-CD46 CPP1 antibody or anantigen-binding portion thereof or an immunoconjugate described hereinto decrease, preferably to statistically significantly decrease themigration of a cell expressing CD46 relative to the migration of thecell in the absence of the antibody. In one embodiment, the migration ofa cell expressing CD46 (e.g., a cancer cell) may be decreased by atleast 10%, or at least 20%, or at least 30%, or at least 40%, or atleast 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or atleast 90%, or 100% when the cells are contacted with the antibody orantigen binding portion thereof or immunoconjugate thereof, relative tocell migration measured in the absence of the antibody or antigenbinding portion thereof or immunoconjugate thereof (control). Cellmigration can be assayed using art recognized techniques.

The term “antigen-binding portion” of an antibody (or simply “antibodyportion”), as used herein, refers to one or more fragments of anantibody that retain the ability to specifically bind to an antigen(e.g., CD46 CPP1). It has been shown that the antigen-binding functionof an antibody can be performed by fragments of a full-length antibody.Examples of binding fragments encompassed within the term“antigen-binding portion” of an antibody include (i) a Fab fragment, amonovalent fragment consisting of the V_(L), V_(H), CL and CH1 domains;(ii) a F(ab′)₂ fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two Fabfragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; (iii) a Fdfragment consisting of the V_(H) and CH1 domains; (iv) a Fv fragmentconsisting of the V_(L) and V_(H) domains of a single arm of anantibody, (v) a dAb including VH and VL domains; (vi) a dAb fragment(see, e.g., Ward et al. (1989) Nature 341: 544-546), which consists of aV_(H) domain; (vii) a dAb which consists of a V_(H) or a V_(L) domain;and (viii) an isolated complementarity determining region (CDR) or (ix)a combination of two or more isolated CDRs which may optionally bejoined by a synthetic linker. Furthermore, although the two domains ofthe Fv fragment, V_(L) and V_(H), can be coded for by separate genes,they can be joined, using recombinant methods, by a synthetic linkerthat enables them to be made as a single protein chain in which theV_(L) and V-regions pair to form monovalent molecules (known as singlechain Fv (scFv); see e.g., Bird et al. (1988) Science 242: 423-426; andHuston et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85: 5879-5883). Suchsingle chain antibodies are also intended to be encompassed within theterm “antigen-binding portion” of an antibody. These antibody fragmentsare obtained using conventional techniques known to those with skill inthe art, and the fragments are screened for utility in the same manneras are intact antibodies. Antigen-binding portions can be produced byrecombinant DNA techniques, or by enzymatic or chemical cleavage ofintact immunoglobulins.

The term “monoclonal antibody” as used herein refers to an antibodyobtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies,i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identicalexcept for possible naturally occurring mutations that may be present inminor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directedagainst a single antigenic site. Furthermore, in contrast toconventional (polyclonal) antibody preparations which typically includedifferent antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes),each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single determinant on theantigen. Monoclonal antibodies can be prepared using any art recognizedtechnique and those described herein such as, for example, a hybridomamethod, as described by Kohler et al. (1975) Nature, 256: 495, atransgenic animal, as described by, for example, (see e.g., Lonberg, etal. (1994) Nature 368(6474): 856-859), recombinant DNA methods (see,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), or using phage antibody libraries usingthe techniques described in, for example, Clackson et al. (1991) Nature,352: 624-628, and Marks et al. (1991) J. Mol. Biol., 222: 581-597.Monoclonal antibodies include chimeric antibodies, human antibodies andhumanized antibodies and may occur naturally or be recombinantlyproduced.

The term “recombinant antibody,” refers to antibodies that are prepared,expressed, created or isolated by recombinant means, such as (a)antibodies isolated from an animal (e.g., a mouse) that is transgenic ortranschromosomal for immunoglobulin genes (e.g., human immunoglobulingenes) or a hybridoma prepared therefrom, (b) antibodies isolated from ahost cell transformed to express the antibody, e.g., from atransfectoma, (c) antibodies isolated from a recombinant, combinatorialantibody library (e.g., containing human antibody sequences) using phagedisplay, and (d) antibodies prepared, expressed, created or isolated byany other means that involve splicing of immunoglobulin gene sequences(e.g., human immunoglobulin genes) to other DNA sequences. Suchrecombinant antibodies may have variable and constant regions derivedfrom human germline immunoglobulin sequences. In certain embodiments,however, such recombinant human antibodies can be subjected to in vitromutagenesis and thus the amino acid sequences of the V_(H) and V_(L)regions of the recombinant antibodies are sequences that, while derivedfrom and related to human germline V- and V_(L) sequences, may notnaturally exist within the human antibody germline repertoire in vivo.

The term “chimeric immunoglobulin” or antibody refers to animmunoglobulin or antibody whose variable regions derive from a firstspecies and whose constant regions derive from a second species.Chimeric immunoglobulins or antibodies can be constructed, for exampleby genetic engineering, from immunoglobulin gene segments belonging todifferent species.

The term “human antibody,” as used herein, is intended to includeantibodies having variable regions in which both the framework and CDRregions are derived from human germline immunoglobulin sequences asdescribed, for example, by Kabat et al. (See Kabat, et al. (1991)Sequences of proteins of Immunological Interest, Fifth Edition, U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 91-3242).Furthermore, if the antibody contains a constant region, the constantregion also is derived from human germline immunoglobulin sequences. Thehuman antibodies may include amino acid residues not encoded by humangermline immunoglobulin sequences (e.g., mutations introduced by randomor site-specific mutagenesis in vitro or by somatic mutation in vivo).However, the term “human antibody”, as used herein, is not intended toinclude antibodies in which CDR sequences derived from the germline ofanother mammalian species, such as a mouse, have been grafted onto humanframework sequences.

The human antibody can have at least one or more amino acids replacedwith an amino acid residue, e.g., an activity enhancing amino acidresidue which is not encoded by the human germline immunoglobulinsequence. Typically, the human antibody can have up to twenty positionsreplaced with amino acid residues which are not part of the humangermline immunoglobulin sequence. In a particular embodiment, thesereplacements are within the CDR regions as described in detail below.

The term “humanized immunoglobulin” or “humanized antibody” refers to animmunoglobulin or antibody that includes at least one humanizedimmunoglobulin or antibody chain (i.e., at least one humanized light orheavy chain). The term “humanized immunoglobulin chain” or “humanizedantibody chain” (i.e., a “humanized immunoglobulin light chain” or“humanized immunoglobulin heavy chain”) refers to an immunoglobulin orantibody chain (i.e., a light or heavy chain, respectively) having avariable region that includes a variable framework region substantiallyfrom a human immunoglobulin or antibody and complementarity determiningregions (CDRs) (e.g., at least one CDR, preferably two CDRs, morepreferably three CDRs) substantially from a non-human immunoglobulin orantibody, and further includes constant regions (e.g., at least oneconstant region or portion thereof, in the case of a light chain, andpreferably three constant regions in the case of a heavy chain). Theterm “humanized variable region” (e.g., “humanized light chain variableregion” or “humanized heavy chain variable region”) refers to a variableregion that includes a variable framework region substantially from ahuman immunoglobulin or antibody and complementarity determining regions(CDRs) substantially from a non-human immunoglobulin or antibody.

As used herein, a “heterologous antibody” is defined in relation to thetransgenic non-human organism or plant producing such an antibody.

An “isolated antibody,” as used herein, is intended to refer to anantibody that is substantially free of other antibodies having differentantigenic specificities (e.g., an isolated antibody that specificallybinds to CD46 CPP1 is substantially free of antibodies that specificallybind antigens other than CD46 CPP1). In addition, an isolated antibodyis typically substantially free of other cellular material and/orchemicals. In one embodiment, a combination of “isolated” monoclonalantibodies having different CD46 binding specificities are combined in awell defined composition.

As used herein, “isotype” refers to the antibody class (e.g., IgM orIgG1) that is encoded by heavy chain constant region genes. In oneembodiment, an antibody or antigen binding portion thereof is of anisotype selected from an IgG1, an IgG2, an IgG3, an IgG4, an IgM, anIgA1, an IgA2, an IgAsec, an IgD, or an IgE antibody isotype. In someembodiments, a monoclonal antibody of the invention is of the IgG1isotype. In other embodiments, a monoclonal antibody of the invention isof the IgG2 isotype.

An “antigen” is an entity (e.g., a proteinaceous entity or peptide) towhich an antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof binds. In variousembodiments of the present invention, an antigen is CD46 CPP1, e.g., aspresented on a cell (e.g., a CD46 positive cancer cell).

The term “epitope” or “antigenic determinant” refers to a site on anantigen to which an immunoglobulin or antibody specifically binds.Epitopes can be formed both from contiguous amino acids or noncontiguousamino acids juxtaposed by tertiary folding of a protein. Epitopes formedfrom contiguous amino acids are typically retained on exposure todenaturing solvents, whereas epitopes formed by tertiary folding aretypically lost on treatment with denaturing solvents. An epitopetypically includes at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or15 amino acids in a unique spatial conformation. Methods of determiningspatial conformation of epitopes include techniques in the art and thosedescribed herein, for example, x-ray crystallography and 2-dimensionalnuclear magnetic resonance (see, e.g., Epitope Mapping Protocols inMethods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 66, G. E. Morris, Ed. (1996)).

Also contemplated herein are antibodies that bind the same or anoverlapping epitope as the 2B10 antibody described. Antibodies thatrecognize the same epitope can be identified using routine techniquessuch as an immunoassay, for example, by showing the ability of oneantibody to block the binding of another antibody to a target antigen,i.e., a competitive binding assay. Competitive binding is determined inan assay in which the immunoglobulin under test inhibits specificbinding of a reference antibody to a common antigen, such as CD46 CPP1,more preferably the epitope of SEQ ID NO:1. Numerous types ofcompetitive binding assays are known, for example: solid phase direct orindirect radioimmunoassay (MA), solid phase direct or indirect enzymeimmunoassay (EIA), sandwich competition assay (see, e.g., Stahli et al.(1983) Meth. Enzymol., 9: 242); solid phase direct biotin-avidin EIA(see Kirkland et al., (1986) J. Immunol. 137: 3614); solid phase directlabeled assay, solid phase direct labeled sandwich assay (see, e.g.,Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold SpringHarbor Press); solid phase direct label RIA using, e.g., ¹²⁵I label(see, e.g., Morel et al., (1988) Mol. Immunol. 25(1): 7); solid phasedirect biotin-avidin EIA (Cheung et al. (1990) Virology 176: 546); anddirect labeled RIA. (Moldenhauer et al. (1990) Scand J. Immunol. 32:77). Typically, such an assay involves the use of purified antigen(e.g., CD46 sushi domain 1 (CPP1)) bound to a solid surface or cellsbearing either of these, an unlabeled test immunoglobulin and a labeledreference immunoglobulin. Competitive inhibition is measured bydetermining the amount of label bound to the solid surface or cells inthe presence of the test immunoglobulin. Usually the test immunoglobulinis present in excess. Usually, when a competing antibody is present inexcess, it will inhibit specific binding of a reference antibody to acommon antigen by at least 50-55%, 55-60%, 60-65%, 65-70% 70-75% ormore.

As used herein, the terms “specific binding,” “specifically binds,”“selective binding,” and “selectively binds,” mean that an antibody orantigen-binding portion thereof, exhibits appreciable affinity for aparticular antigen or epitope and, generally, does not exhibitsignificant cross-reactivity with other antigens and epitopes.“Appreciable” or preferred binding includes binding with an affinity ofat least (KD equal to or less than) 10⁻⁶ M, 10⁻⁷ M, 10⁻⁸ M, 10⁻⁹ M,10⁻¹⁰ M, or 10⁻¹¹ M. Affinities greater than 10⁻⁹ M, preferably greaterthan 10⁻¹⁰ M are more preferred. Values intermediate of those set forthherein are also intended to be within the scope of the present inventionand a preferred binding affinity can be indicated as a range ofaffinities, for example, 10⁻⁶ M to 10⁻¹¹ M, preferably 10⁻⁷ M or 10⁻⁸ Mto 10⁻¹⁰ M. An antibody that “does not exhibit significantcross-reactivity” is one that will not appreciably bind to anundesirable entity (e.g., an undesirable proteinaceous entity). Forexample, in one embodiment, an antibody or antigen-binding portionthereof that specifically binds to CD46 CPP1 appreciably bind that cD46CPP1 protein but will not significantly react with other molecules andnon-CD46 proteins or peptides. Specific or selective binding can bedetermined according to any art-recognized means for determining suchbinding, including, for example, according to Scatchard analysis and/orcompetitive binding assays.

The term “K_(D),” as used herein, is intended to refer to thedissociation equilibrium constant of a particular antibody-antigeninteraction or the affinity of an antibody for an antigen. In oneembodiment, the antibody or antigen binding portion thereof according tothe present invention binds an antigen (e.g., CD46-CPP1) with anaffinity (K_(D)) of 5 nM or better (i.e., or less) (e.g., 40 nM or 30 nMor 20 nM or 10 nM or less), as measured using a surface plasmonresonance assay or a cell binding assay. In a particular embodiment, anantibody or antigen binding portion thereof according to the presentinvention binds CD46 CPP1 with an affinity (K_(D)) of 5 nM or better(e.g., 4 nM, 2 nM, 1.5 nM, 1.4 nM, 1.3 nM, 1 nM or less), as measured bya surface plasmon resonance assay or a cell binding assay. In otherembodiments, an antibody or antigen binding portion thereof binds anantigen (e.g., CD46 CPP1) with an affinity (K_(D)) of approximately lessthan 10⁻¹⁰ M, or 100×10⁻¹¹ M, or 10×10⁻¹¹ M, or even lower using liveprostate tumor cells by FACS.

The term “K_(off),” as used herein, is intended to refer to the off rateconstant for the dissociation of an antibody from the antibody/antigencomplex.

The term “EC50,” as used herein, refers to the concentration of anantibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof or an immunoconjugatedescribed herein, that induces a response, either in an in vitro or anin vivo assay, which is 50% of the maximal response, i.e., halfwaybetween the maximal response and the baseline.

The term “naturally-occurring” as used herein as applied to an objectrefers to the fact that an object can be found in nature. For example, apolypeptide or polynucleotide sequence that is present in an organism(including viruses) that can be isolated from a source in nature andwhich has not been intentionally modified by man in the laboratory isnaturally-occurring.

The term “modifying,” or “modification,” as used herein, is intended torefer to changing one or more amino acids in the antibodies orantigen-binding portions thereof. The change can be produced by adding,substituting or deleting an amino acid at one or more positions. Thechange can be produced using known techniques, such as PCR mutagenesis.For example, in some embodiments, an antibody or an antigen-bindingportion thereof identified using the methods of the invention can bemodified, to thereby modify the binding affinity of the antibody orantigen-binding portion thereof to CD46 CPP1.

In certain embodiments “conservative amino acid substitutions” in thesequences of the anti-CD46 CPP1 antibodies described herein, i.e.,nucleotide and amino acid sequence modifications that do not abrogatethe binding of the antibody encoded by the nucleotide sequence orcontaining the amino acid sequence, to the antigen, e.g., CD46 CPP1 arecontemplated. Conservative amino acid substitutions include thesubstitution of an amino acid in one class by an amino acid of the sameclass, where a class is defined by common physicochemical amino acidside chain properties and high substitution frequencies in homologousproteins found in nature, as determined, for example, by a standardDayhoff frequency exchange matrix or BLOSUM matrix. Six general classesof amino acid side chains have been categorized and include: Class I(Cys); Class II (Ser, Thr, Pro, Ala, Gly); Class III (Asn, Asp, Gln,Glu); Class IV (His, Arg, Lys); Class V (Ile, Leu, Val, Met); and ClassVI (Phe, Tyr, Trp). For example, substitution of an Asp for anotherclass III residue such as Asn, Gln, or Glu, is a conservativesubstitution. Thus, a predicted nonessential amino acid residue in ananti-CD46 CPP1 antibody is preferably replaced with another amino acidresidue from the same class. Methods of identifying nucleotide and aminoacid conservative substitutions which do not eliminate antigen bindingare well-known in the art (see, e.g., Brummell et al. (1993) Biochem.32: 1180-1187; Kobayashi et al. (1999) Protein Eng. 12(10): 879-884; andBurks et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94: 412-417).

The term “non-conservative amino acid substitution” refers to thesubstitution of an amino acid in one class with an amino acid fromanother class; for example, substitution of an Ala, a class II residue,with a class III residue such as Asp, Asn, Glu, or Gln.

In another embodiment, mutations (conservative or non-conservative) canbe introduced randomly along all or part of an anti-CD46 CPP1 antibodycoding sequence, such as by saturation mutagenesis, and the resultingmodified antibodies can be screened for binding activity.

A “consensus sequence” is a sequence formed from the most frequentlyoccurring amino acids (or nucleotides) in a family of related sequences(See e.g., Winnaker, From Genes to Clones (Verlagsgesellschaft,Weinheim, Germany 1987). In a family of proteins, each position in theconsensus sequence is occupied by the amino acid occurring mostfrequently at that position in the family. If two amino acids occurequally frequently, either can be included in the consensus sequence. A“consensus framework” of an immunoglobulin refers to a framework regionin the consensus immunoglobulin sequence.

Similarly, the consensus sequence for the CDRs of can be derived byoptimal alignment of the CDR amino acid sequences of anti-CD46 CPP1antibodies described herein.

For nucleic acids, the term “substantial homology” indicates that twonucleic acids, or designated sequences thereof, when optimally alignedand compared, are identical, with appropriate nucleotide insertions ordeletions, in at least about 80% of the nucleotides, usually at leastabout 90% to 95%, and more preferably at least about 98% to 99.5% of thenucleotides. Alternatively, substantial homology exists when thesegments will hybridize under selective hybridization conditions, to thecomplement of the strand.

The percent identity between two sequences is a function of the numberof identical positions shared by the sequences (i.e., % homology=# ofidentical positions/total # of positions.times.100), taking into accountthe number of gaps, and the length of each gap, which need to beintroduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The comparison ofsequences and determination of percent identity between two sequencescan be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm, as described in thenon-limiting examples below.

The percent identity between two nucleotide sequences can be determinedusing the GAP program in the GCG software, using a NWSgapdna.CMP matrixand a gap weight of 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 and a length weight of 1, 2,3, 4, 5, or 6. The percent identity between two nucleotide or amino acidsequences can also be determined using the algorithm of Meyers andMiller (1989) CABIOS, 4: 11-17, which has been incorporated into theALIGN program (version 2.0), using a PAM120 weight residue table, a gaplength penalty of 12 and a gap penalty of 4. In addition, the percentidentity between two amino acid sequences can be determined using theNeedleman and Wunsch (1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48: 444-453 algorithm whichhas been incorporated into the GAP program in the GCG software package,using either a Blossum 62 matrix or a PAM250 matrix, and a gap weight of16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, or 4 and a length weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.

The nucleic acid and protein sequences of the contemplated herein canfurther be used as a “query sequence” to perform a search against publicdatabases to, for example, identify related sequences. Such searches canbe performed using the NBLAST and XBLAST programs (version 2.0) ofAltschul, et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-10. BLAST nucleotidesearches can be performed with the NBLAST program, score=100,wordlength=12 to obtain nucleotide sequences homologous to the nucleicacid molecules of the invention. BLAST protein searches can be performedwith the XBLAST program, score=50, wordlength=3 to obtain amino acidsequences homologous to the protein molecules of the invention. Toobtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can beutilized as described in Altschul et al., (1997) Nucleic Acids Res.25(17):3389-3402. When utilizing BLAST and Gapped BLAST programs, thedefault parameters of the respective programs (e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST)can be used.

The nucleic acid compositions described herein (e.g., nucleic acidsencoding all or a portion of an anti-CD46 CPP1 antibody orimmunoconjugate) while often in a native sequence (except for modifiedrestriction sites and the like), from either cDNA, genomic or mixturesthereof may be mutated, in accordance with standard techniques toprovide variant sequences. For coding sequences, these mutations, mayaffect amino acid sequence as desired. In particular, DNA sequencessubstantially homologous to or derived from native V, D, J, constant,switches and other such sequences described herein are contemplated(where “derived” indicates that a sequence is identical or modified fromanother sequence).

The term “operably linked” refers to a nucleic acid sequence placed intoa functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. Forexample, DNA for a presequence or secretory leader is operably linked toDNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein thatparticipates in the secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter or enhanceris operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcriptionof the sequence; or a ribosome binding site is operably linked to acoding sequence if it is positioned so as to facilitate translation.Generally, “operably linked” means that the DNA sequences being linkedare contiguous, and, in the case of a secretory leader, contiguous andin reading phase. However, enhancers do not have to be contiguous.Linking is accomplished by ligation at convenient restriction sites. Ifsuch sites do not exist, the synthetic oligonucleotide adaptors orlinkers are used in accordance with conventional practice. A nucleicacid is “operably linked” when it is placed into a functionalrelationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For instance, apromoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if itaffects the transcription of the sequence. With respect to transcriptionregulatory sequences, operably linked means that the DNA sequences beinglinked are contiguous and, where necessary to join two protein codingregions, contiguous and in reading frame. For switch sequences, operablylinked indicates that the sequences are capable of effecting switchrecombination.

The term “vector,” as used herein, is intended to refer to a nucleicacid molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which ithas been linked. One type of vector is a “plasmid,” which refers to acircular double stranded DNA loop into which additional DNA segments maybe ligated. Another type of vector is a viral vector, wherein additionalDNA segments may be ligated into the viral genome. Certain vectors arecapable of autonomous replication in a host cell into which they areintroduced (e.g., bacterial vectors having a bacterial origin ofreplication and episomal mammalian vectors). Other vectors (e.g.,non-episomal mammalian vectors) can be integrated into the genome of ahost cell upon introduction into the host cell, and thereby arereplicated along with the host genome. Moreover, certain vectors arecapable of directing the expression of genes to which they areoperatively linked. Such vectors are referred to herein as “recombinantexpression vectors” (or simply, “expression vectors”). In general,expression vectors of utility in recombinant DNA techniques are often inthe form of plasmids. The terms, “plasmid” and “vector” may be usedinterchangeably. However, the invention is intended to include suchother forms of expression vectors, such as viral vectors (e.g.,replication defective retroviruses, adenoviruses and adeno-associatedviruses), that serve equivalent functions.

The term “recombinant host cell” (or simply “host cell”), as usedherein, is intended to refer to a cell into which an expression vectorhas been introduced. It should be understood that such terms areintended to refer not only to the particular subject cell but to theprogeny of such a cell. Because certain modifications may occur insucceeding generations due to either mutation or environmentalinfluences, such progeny may not, in fact, be identical to the parentcell, but are still included within the scope of the term “host cell” asused herein.

The terms “treat,” “treating,” and “treatment,” as used herein, refer totherapeutic or preventative measures described herein. The methods of“treatment” employ administration to a subject (e.g., a subject in needthereof), an anti-CD46 CPP1 antibody or antigen binding portion or animmunoconjugate comprising such an antibody or antigen binding portiondescribed herein. In certain embodiments the subject is a subjectdiagnosed with and/or under treatment for a CD46 positive cancer (e.g.,prostate cancer) in order to prevent, cure, delay, reduce the severityof, or ameliorate one or more symptoms of the disease or disorder orrecurring disease or disorder, or in order to prolong the survival of asubject beyond that expected in the absence of such treatment.

The terms “cancer” and “cancerous” refer to or describe thephysiological condition in mammals that is typically characterized byunregulated cell growth. A CD46 positive cancer refers to a cancercharacterized by cells that express or overexpress CD46. IllustrativeCD46 cancers include, but are not limited to, ovarian cancer, breastcancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, andpancreatic cancer.

The term “effective amount,” as used herein, refers to that amount of ananti-CD46 CPP1 antibody or an antigen binding portion thereof and/or animmunoconjugate thereof, which is sufficient to effect treatment,prognosis or diagnosis of a disease associated with the growth and/orproliferation CD46 positive cells (e.g., a CD46 positive cancer), asdescribed herein, when administered to a subject. A therapeuticallyeffective amount will vary depending upon the subject and diseasecondition being treated, the weight and age of the subject, the severityof the disease condition, the manner of administration and the like,which can readily be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. Thedosages for administration can range from, for example, about 1 ng toabout 10,000 mg, about 5 ng to about 9,500 mg, about 10 ng to about9,000 mg, about 20 ng to about 8,500 mg, about 30 ng to about 7,500 mg,about 40 ng to about 7,000 mg, about 50 ng to about 6,500 mg, about 100ng to about 6,000 mg, about 200 ng to about 5,500 mg, about 300 ng toabout 5,000 mg, about 400 ng to about 4,500 mg, about 500 ng to about4,000 mg, about 1 .mu.g to about 3,500 mg, about 5 .mu.g to about 3,000mg, about 10 .mu.g to about 2,600 mg, about 20 .mu.g to about 2,575 mg,about 30 .mu.g to about 2,550 mg, about 40 .mu.g to about 2,500 mg,about 50 .mu.g to about 2,475 mg, about 100 .mu.g to about 2,450 mg,about 200 .mu.g to about 2,425 mg, about 300 .mu.g to about 2,000, about400 .mu.g to about 1,175 mg, about 500 .mu.g to about 1,150 mg, about0.5 mg to about 1,125 mg, about 1 mg to about 1,100 mg, about 1.25 mg toabout 1,075 mg, about 1.5 mg to about 1,050 mg, about 2.0 mg to about1,025 mg, about 2.5 mg to about 1,000 mg, about 3.0 mg to about 975 mg,about 3.5 mg to about 950 mg, about 4.0 mg to about 925 mg, about 4.5 mgto about 900 mg, about 5 mg to about 875 mg, about 10 mg to about 850mg, about 20 mg to about 825 mg, about 30 mg to about 800 mg, about 40mg to about 775 mg, about 50 mg to about 750 mg, about 100 mg to about725 mg, about 200 mg to about 700 mg, about 300 mg to about 675 mg,about 400 mg to about 650 mg, about 500 mg, or about 525 mg to about 625mg, of an anti-CD46 CPP1 (preferably anti SEQ ID NO:1) antibody and/orantigen binding portion thereof, and/or immunoconjugate thereof asdescribed herein. Dosage regiments may be adjusted to provide theoptimum therapeutic response. An effective amount is also one in whichany toxic or detrimental effects (i.e., side effects) of an antibody orantigen binding portion thereof are minimized and/or outweighed by thebeneficial effects.

The term “patient” includes human and other mammalian subjects thatreceive either prophylactic or therapeutic treatment.

As used herein, the term “subject” includes any human or non-humananimal. For example, the methods and compositions of the presentinvention can be used to treat a subject having cancer. In a particularembodiment, the subject is a human. The term “non-human animal” includesall vertebrates, e.g., mammals and non-mammals, such as non-humanprimates, sheep, dog, cow, chickens, amphibians, reptiles, etc.

An “effector” refers to any molecule or combination of molecules whoseactivity it is desired to deliver/into and/or localize at cell.Effectors include, but are not limited to labels, cytotoxins, enzymes,growth factors, transcription factors, antibodies, drugs, etc.

The term “immunoconjugate” refers to an antibody attached to one or moreeffectors or to a plurality of antibodies attached to one or moreeffectors. The term “immunoconjugate” is intended to include effectorschemically conjugated to the antibodies as well as antibodies expressesas a fusion protein where the antibody (or a portion thereof) isdirectly attached or attached through a linker to a peptide effector orto an effector comprising a peptide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1, panels A-D, illustrates the identification of CD46 as the cellsurface target of UA20. Panel A: Analysis of immunoprecipitationproducts by SDS-PAGE and silver staining. Cell membrane extracts wereprepared and incubated with UA20-conjugated protein A beads. Panel B:Analysis of immunoprecipitates by Western blotting. Tumor cell surfaceproteins were biotinylated, immunoprecipitated with UA20 and detected bystreptavidin-HRP. Referencing the position of the biotin-labeledmembrane protein target, corresponding bands on silver stained gel wereexcised and analyzed by mass spectrometry analysis. Panel C: Confirmingantigen identification by Western blotting. Immunoprecipitates fromDU145 (antigen positive) and BPH-1 (control, antigen negative) weresubjected to Western blotting analysis using anti-CD46 antibodies. PanelD: Confirming antigen identification by ectopic cDNA expression. FACSanalysis of UA20 binding to 293T cells transiently transfected withhuman CD46 cDNA and a control cDNA. Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)values are indicated.

FIG. 2 illustrates deletion mapping to identify UA20 binding site. CCPdeletions were constructed as indicated, transfected into 293T cells andtested by FACS for binding to UA20. “−” indicates no significantbinding. “+++” and “++++” indicates strong binding. “++” indicatedreduced binding compared to wild type CD46-transfected cells. ECD:extracellular domain. TM: transmembrane. ICD: intracellular domain.

FIG. 3 shows that UA20 IgG1 does not interfere with the complementregulation function of CD46. Human PBMC cells were incubated with humancomplement enriched serum at 37° C. for 4 h and cell viability wasmeasured by CCK-8 cell counting kit. The experiment was done intriplicates and no significant difference was observed (t-test).

FIG. 4 illustrates antibody internalization via macropinocytosis.Confocal analysis. FITC-labeled UA20 IgG was incubated with CaP cells(Du145) along with TRITC-labeled neutral dextran, a marker formacropinocytosis. Pseudo-colored channels for IgG (green), dextran (red)and nuclei (deep blue).

FIG. 5 illustrates elective killing of prostate cancer cells byUA20-toxin conjugates. Biotin-labeled UA20 IgG1 was incubated withstreptavidin-saporin to form the antibody-toxin conjugate, which wasincubated with a panel of prostate cancer and control cells at varyingconcentrations at 37° C. for 72-96 h. Cell viability was determinedusing the CCK-8 cell counting kit. Prostate cancer (CaP) cells: Du145,LNCaP C4-2 (a castration resistant subline) and C4-2B (a bonemetastasizing castration resistant subline). HS775Li: A primarynon-tumorigenic human liver cell line. BPH-1: a cell line derived fromnon-tumorigenic benign prostatic hyperplasia.

FIG. 6, panels A and B, illustrate the results of animmunohistochemistry (IHC) study of CD46 expression in prostate cancertissues. Expressions were detected in both primary tumor (panel A, n=18,all positive) and bone mets (panel B, n=3, all positive). Representativeimages are shown. Note that infiltrating immune cells are not stainedcompared to tumor cells, indicating a large differential in the amountof CD46 expressed by tumor vs normal cells.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show apparent binding affinity measured on live tumorcells for 2B10 (FIG. 7A) and for UA20 (FIG. 7B). Antibodies wereincubated with Du145 cells at 4° C., washed and binding detected by FACSusing PE-conjugated anti-human Fc secondary antibodies. GraphPad wasused to fit the binding curve. In the particular experiment set shownbelow, KD for 2B10 is 4.5 nM, while UA20 10.6 nM. Generally speaking,when measured side-by-side, 2B10 consistently shows a higher affinitythan UA20 (1-5 nM vs 5-10 nM).

FIG. 8 shows sequence alignments between the amino acid sequences of the2B10 VH domain (SEQ ID NO:15) and the UA20 VH domain (SEQ ID NO:16) andbetween the amino acid sequences of the 2B10 VL domain (SEQ ID NO:17)and the UA20 VL domain (SEQ ID NO:18). Heavy and light chain variableregions are compared using ClustalW. For heavy chain, the majordifference is in CDR1. There are three additional mutations inframework 1. For light chain, differences are seen in CDR1.

FIG. 9 show that anti-CD46 antibody drug conjugates potently andselectively reduce the viability of a bone-metastasizing prostate cancercell line. Prostate cancer and control cells were incubated with the2B10 IgG conjugated to monomethyl auristatin F (2B10-MC-vc-PAB-MMAF) atthe indicated concentrations for 96 hrs. Cell viability was assessed byLive/Dead Cell Viability assay (Invitrogen/Life Technologies). IC50 isestimated to be between 200-400 pM. The drug conjugation service wasperformed by Concortis, Inc. LNCaP C4-2B: a castration resistantbone-metastasizing prostate cancer cell line derived from LNCaP. HS27: anon-tumorigenic human fibroblast cell line that expresses moderatelevels of CD46.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In various embodiments methods and compositions are provided for thespecific delivery of effector moieties (e.g., detectable moieties,cytotoxic and/or cytostatic moieties) to cancer cells (e.g., to prostatecancer cells) are provided. In particular, it was determined thatcertain prostate tumor targeting internalizing human monoclonalantibodies that bind to prostate tumor cells in situ residing in theirtissue microenvironment specifically bind CD46 (e.g., human CD46). Theepitope bound by these antibodies was mapped. It was determined that theepitope is conformational and located in the Sushi domain 1 (amino acidsequence: CEEPPTFEAM ELIGKPKPYY EIGERVDYKC KKGYFYIPPL ATHTICDRNHTWLPVSDDAC YR, SEQ ID NO:19) of CD46.

It was further determined that a 32 amino acid region (KPYYEIGERVDYKCKKGYFY IPPLATHTIC DR, SEQ ID NO:1) in Sushi 1 is necessary forbinding. It was found that an anti-CD46 antibody binding to this epitopeis preferentially internalized by prostate tumor cells with nosignificant internalization by normal cells that express CD46.Functional internalization studies using antibody-toxin (saporin)conjugates were performed and it was found that the anti-CD46antibody-toxin conjugate preferentially kills prostate cancer cells,consistent with the differential internalization that was observed fortumor cells (see, e.g., Example 1).

To further validate the CD46 (Sushi 1) epitope as a therapeutic target,immunohistochemistry studies were performed using a panel of normal andprostate tumor tissues. It was found that this CD46 epitope is expressedby all prostate tumors that were have studied but is not expressed inany significant way by a broad panel of normal human tissues except theplacental trophoblasts, which are not present in men, and the normalprostate, which is not a vital organ. Thus this CD46 epitope that wehave identified can be targeted by the human monoclonal antibody toallow tumor-selective internalization and targeted tumor killing by theantibody alone or by the use of antibody-toxin or antibody-drugconjugates.

In view of these discoveries, it is believed that antibodies thatspecifically bind Sushi domain 1 of CD46, and in particular the epitopeidentified above, will specifically bind and be internalized into cellsthat express or overexpress CD46. As CD46 is expressed/overexpressed bya number of cancers including, but not limited to ovarian cancer, breastcancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer,pancreatic cancer mesothelioma, lymphoma, liver cancer, urothelialcancer, stomach cancer, and cervical cancer, these antibodies can beused to specifically target and internalize into these and other CD46positive cancer cells.

In certain embodiments these anti-Sushi domain 1 antibodies can be usedwithout attached effectors for their intrinsic cytotoxic and/orcytostatic and/or antiproliferative activity on cells (particularlycancer cells). In certain embodiments these antibodies can be attachedto one or more effectors (e.g., second antibody, a detectable label, acytotoxin, a liposome containing a drug, a radionuclide, a drug, aprodrug, a viral particle, a cytokine, and a chelate) to thereby form animmunoconjugate will specifically bind and internalize into cancer cellsexpressing or overexpressing CD46. In certain embodiments multipleeffectors will be attached to a single antibody, or in certainembodiments, multiple antibodies will be attached to a single effector,or in certain embodiments, a single antibody will be attached to asingle antibody.

In various embodiments methods of use of these antibodies and/orimmunoconjugates are provided. In certain embodiments the methodsinvolve contacting a cell that expresses or overexpresses CD46 (e.g., acancer cell such as an ovarian cancer cell, a breast cancer cell, a lungcancer cell, a prostate cancer cell, a colon cancer cell, a kidneycancer cell, a pancreatic cancer cell, etc.) with the constructresulting in internalization of the construct (or a portion thereof)into the cell and thereby delivering the effector to the target cell. Incertain embodiments the “contacting” comprises administering theantibody or the construct to a subject (e.g., a human or a non-humanmammal) in need thereof.

Antibodies that Bind CD46 CCP1

It was discovered that antibodies that specifically bind CD46 Sushidomain 1, and more preferably antibodies that bind the epitope of SEQ IDNO:1, above, effectively bind and are internalized by prostate (andother CD46 positive cancer cells) in situ, e.g., when the cancer cell isin the tissue microenvironment. As indicated above, such antibodies areuseful for targeting cancers when used alone, or when attached to aneffector to form a “targeted effector”.

Accordingly in certain embodiments, an isolated antibody is providedthat that specifically binds and is internalized into a prostate cancercell, where the antibody is an antibody that specifically binds cellsthat express or overexpress a CD46, where the antibody specificallybinds sushi domain 1 of CD46. In certain embodiments the antibody bindsan epitope defined by or comprising SEQ ID NO:1.

The antibody designated herein as 2B10 is one such prototypical antibodythat was derived from the UA20. A comparison of 2B10 with the UA20antibody is shown in FIG. 8 and in Table 1. As shown therein, the 2B10antibody differs from UA20 the amino acid sequences of VH and VLcomplementarity determining regions (CDR) and in the VH framework 1region.

TABLE 1 Amino acid sequences of VH and VL chains of the 2B10and UA20 antibodies, respectively. Antibody Amino Acid SequenceHeavy chain variable region (V_(H)):   2B10VH UA20VH

      CDR2                   Framework 3 2B10VHRIKSKTDEGTTDYAAPVKG RFSISRDDSKNTLYLQMNSLKTEDTGVYYCTA UA20VHRIKSKTDEGTTDYAAPVKG RFSISRDDSKNTLYLQMNSLKTEDTGVYYCTA CDR3    Framework 4 2B10VH TKGLGGSK LGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 15) UA20VHTKGLGGSK LGQGTLVTVSS (SEQ ID NO: 16) Light chain variable region (VL):  2B10VL UA20VL

  CDR2           Framework 3 2B10VLYSNDQRPS GVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAITGLQPEDEADYYC UA20VLYSNDQRPS GVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAITGLQPEDEADYYC    CDR3     Framework 4 2B10VLGTWDSSLSAYV FGTGTKLTVL (SEQ ID NO: 17) UA20VLGTWDSSLSAYV FGTGTKLTVL (SEQ ID NO: 18)

In various embodiments the antibodies contemplated herein expresslyexclude antibodies composing the three VH CDRs and/or the three VL CDRsof antibodies 3051.1, G12FC3, M6c42b, 4F3YW, M40pr146, UA20, UAB,585II41, 585II41.1, 585II56, 3076, 3051, M49R, RCI-14, 1179_4, 1179_3,T5II-4B.1, T5II-4B.2, RCI-11, RCI-20, CI-11A, CI-14A, S95-2 that aredescribed in PCT/US2008/076704 (WO 2009/039192) and/or the mPA7antibody. The amino acid sequences of the VH and VL chains of theseantibodies and the CDRs comprising these domains are shown in inPCT/US2008/076704 and the amino acid sequences of these domains arereproduced below in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Excluded antibodies. The sequence shown below are scFvantibodies (the VL and VH regions are joined by a(Gly₄Ser)₃ (SEQ ID NO: 2) linker, however it will berecognized that other antibody forms comprising theCDRs (or the VH and/or VL domains) are similarly excluded. SEQ ID CloneAmino Acid Sequence No 3051.1QVQLQESGGGLVKPGGPLRLSCAASGFTFSSYGMYWVRQAPGKG 20LEWVSTLSRSGSGTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCASIAVAGNYFDYWGQGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGG GSSYVLTQDPAVSVALGQTVRITCQGDSLRSYYASWYQERPGQAPLLVIYGKNNRPSGIPDRFSGSNSGSTATLTISRVEAGDEGDYY CQVWDSINEQVVFGGGTKVTVLG12FC3 QVQLVQSGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAATGIPFSGSGMHWVRQAPGKG 21LEWVTMIWYDGSNKFYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMDSLRAEDTAVYFCARDKGVRSMDVWGLGTTVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGGG SNFMLTQPPSVSVAPGQTAKITCDGYSIRTKSVHWYQQKPGQAPVVVVHDDSDRPSGIPERFSGSNSGTTATLTISRVEAGDEADYYC QAWDSISEEVVFGGGTKLTVLM6c42b QVQLQESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCSASGFTFGTYAMRWVRQTSGKG 22LEWVSGIGVSGDAYYTDSVRGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNTLRAEDTATYYCTRKSSTTSNDYWGRGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGGGSSYVLTQDPAVSVALGQTVRITCQGDNIGSKSVHWYQQKPGQAPVLVVYDDSDRPSGIPERFSGSNSGTTATLTISSVEAGDEADYYCQ AWDSISEHVIFGGGTKVTVL 4F3YWQVQLQESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMHWVRQAPGKG 23LEWVAVISYDGSNKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARFSSGWYYFDYWGQGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGG GSDIQMTQSPSFLSASVGDRITITCRASHDISSYFAWYQQKPGKAPKPLIYAASTLQSGVPSRFSGSGSGTEFTLTISSLQPEDFATY YCQQLGSYPLTFGGGTKLEIKM40pr146 QVQLLQSGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMSWVRQAPGKG 24LEWVSAISGSGGSTYYTDSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAKSHDYGDYAGFDYWGQGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSG GGGSHVILTQDPAVSVALGQTVRITCQGDSLKSYYASWYQQKPGQAPVLVIYGKNNRPSGIPDRFSGSSSGTTASLTITGAQAEDEAD YYCHSRDSSGTHLRVFGGGTKLTVLUA20 QVQLQESGGGLVKPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSNAWMNWVRQAPGKG 25LEWVGRIKSKTDEGTTDYAAPVKGRFSISRDDSKNTLYLQMNSLKTEDTGVYYCTATKGLGGSKLGQGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGG GSQSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISCSGSSSNIGNNTVNWSRQLPGTAPKLLIYSNDQRPSGVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAITGLQPEDEAD YYCGTWDSSLSAYVFGTGTKLTVLUA8 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCAASGFTFSSFGMHWVRRAPGKG 26LEWVAVISYDGSNQYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCGSRPGGGYASGSTVAYWGQGTPVTVSS GGGGSGGGG SGGGGSSSELTQDPAVSVALGQTVRITCQGDSLRSYYASWYQQKPGQAPLLVIYGQNIRPSGIPDRFSGSSSGNSASLTITGAQAEDE ADYYCHSRDSSGKYVFGVGTKVTVL585II41 QVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMGWVRQAPGKG 27LEWVSAISGSGGSTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKDTLYLQMNSLRA EDTAVYYCASRSLLDYWGQGTLVTVSSGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS NF MLTQDPAVSVALGQTVRITCQGDSLRSYYASWYQQKPGQAPLLVIYGKNNRPSGIPDRFSGSSSGNTASLTITGAQAEDEADYYCNSR DSSGNPVFGGGTKVTVL 585II41.1QVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMSWVRQAPGKG 28LEWVSAISGSGGSTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKDTLYLQMNSLRA EDTAVYYCASRSLLDYWGQGTLVTVSSGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS NF MLTQDPAVSVALGQTVRITCQGDSLRSYYASWYQQKPGQAPLLVIYGKNNRPSGIPDRFSGSSSGNTASLTITGAQAEDEADYYCNSR DSSGNPVFGGGTKVTVL 585II56QVQLQESGGGLVQLGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMSWVRQAPGKG 29LEWVSAISGSGGSTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMSSLRAEDTAFYYCANSAYTGGWYDYWGHGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGG GSSSELTQDPAVSVALGQTVKITCQGDSLRTYYASWYQQRPGQAPVLVIYGENSRPSGIPDRFSGSSSGNTASLTITGAQAEDEADYY CNSRDSSGNHLRVFGGGTKLTVL3076 QVNLRESGGGLVQPGGFLRLSCAAFGFTFSGYWMSWVHPAPGKG 30LEWVANIKQDGSEKFYVDSVKGRFTISRDNAKNSLFLQMNSLRA EDTAVYFCARGLLSDYWGQGTLVPVSSGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS NF MLTQPPSVSVAPGKTASLTCGGYNIGTKSVHWYQQKPGQAPVVVVHDDSDRPSGIPERFSGSNSGTTATLTIIRVEAGDEADYYCQAW DSISEEVVFGGGTKLTVL 3051QVQLQESGGGLVKPGGPLRLSCAASGFTFSSYGMYWVRQAPGKG 31LEWVSTLSRSGSGTYYAESVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYFQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCASIAVAGNYFEYWGQGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGG GSSYVLTQDPAVSVALGQTVRITCQGDSLRSYYASWYQERPGQAPLLVIYGKNNRPSGIPDRFSGSNSGSTATLTISRVEAGDEGDYY CQVWDSINEQVVFGGGTKVTVL M49RQVQLQESGGGLVKPGESLRLSCAASGFTFSDHYMDWVRQAPGKG 32LEWVAYIRYDGSTKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRPEDTAFYYCARLIAEAEGWFDPWGQGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGG GGSNFMLTQPPSVSVAPGKTARITCGGNNIGSKSVYWYQQKPGQAPVLVVYDDSDRPSGIPERFSGSNSGNTATLTISRVEAGDEADY YCQVWDSSSDHVVFGGGTKVTVLRCI-14 QVQLLQSAGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSTYAMNWVRQAPGKG 33LEWVSGISGSGGSTNYADSVKGRFTISRDSSKNTLFLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAKDYGSGWYDYWGQGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGGG SSSELTQDPAVSVALGQTVRITCQGDSLRSYYASWYQERPGQAPLLVIYGRNERPSGIPDRFSASSSGNTASLTITGAQAEDEADYYC QVWDSFNEQVVFGGGTKLTVLII79_4 QVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMSWVHQAPGKG 34LEWVSAISGSGGSTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAKTYYGFWSGYYDYLGQGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSG GGGSSSELTQDPAVSVGLGQTVTITCQGDSLRSYYANWYQQKPGQAPILVIYGENNRPSGIPDRFSGSSSGNTASLTITGAQAEDEAD YYCHSRDSSGTHLRVFGGGTKLTVLII79_3 QVQLLESGGGVVQPGTSLRLSCAASGFTFSNYAINWVRQAAGKG 35LEWVSGISGSGVSTSYADSVKGRFTVSRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRVEDTALYYCAKNGGGPEYLQHWGQGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGG GSQSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISCSGSSSNIGNNTVNWSRQLPGTAPKLLIYSNDQRPSGVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAITGLQPEDEAD YYCGTWDSSLSAYVFGTGTKLTVLT5II-4B.1 QVQLQESGGTLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMSWVRQAPGRG 36LEWVSTISGSGGSTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAKGAYSGSYWGQGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGGGS SSELTQDPAVSVALGQTVRITCQGDSLRSYYASWYQQKPGQAPSLVIYGENSRPSGIPDRFSGSSSGNTASLTITGAQAENEADYYCQA WDSSTAVVFGGGTKLTVLT5II-4B.2 QVQLQESGGTLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMSWVRQAPGRG 37LEWVSTISGSGGSTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAKGAYSGSHWGQGTLVTVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGGGS SSELTQDPAVSVALGQTVRITCQGDSLRSYYASWYQQKPGQAPSLVIYGENSRPSGIPDRFSGSSSGNTASLTITGAQAENEADYYCQA WDSSTAVVFGGGTKLTVL RCI-11QVQLVESGAEVKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFTSYGISWVRQAPGQG 38LEWMGWISAYNGNTNYAQKLQGRVTMTTDTSTSTAYMELRSLRSDDTAVYYCARPIYDSSGYDAFDIWGQGTMVTVSS GGGGSGGGGS GGGGSDIVMTQSPSTLSASIGDRVTITCRASEGIYHWLAWYQQKPGKAPKLLIYKASSLASGAPSRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQPDDF ATYYCQQYHTISRTFGPGTKVDIKRCI-20 QVQLVESGGGLVKPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMHWVRQAPGKG 39LEWVAVISYDGSNKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYFCVRPSDSGWSFEHWGQGTLVPVSS GGGGSGGGGSGGG GSQSVLTQPPSASGTPGQRVTISCSGSSSNIGNNTVNWSRQLPGTAPKLLIYSNDQRPSGVPDRFSGSKSGTSASLAITGLQPEDEAD YYCGTWDSSLSAYVFGTGTKLTVLCI-11A QVQLQESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSSYAMSWVRQAPGKG 40LEWVAVISYDGSNKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCVRGDRSYGAEYFQHWGQGTLVTVSSGGGGSGGGGSG GGGSSSELTQDPAVSVASGQTVRITCQGDSLRSYYASWYQQKPGQAPLLVIYGKNIRPSGIPDRFSGSTSGNSASLTITGAQAEDEAD YYCNSRDSSGNRNWVFGGGTKLTVLCI-14A QVQLQESGGGLVKPGGSLRLSCAASGFTSSSYAMHWVRQAPGKG 41LEYVSAIGGNGGTYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAKEGEQWLEYRYYYGMDVWGQGTTVTVSSGGGGSGGG GSGGGGSSSELTQDPAVSVALGQTVRITCQGDSLRSYYASWYQQKPGQAPSLVIYGENSRPSGIPDRFSGSSSGNTASLTITGAQAEN EADYYCQAWDSSTAVVFGGGTKLTVLS95-2 QVQLVESGGGVVQPGRSLRLSCTASGFTFSSYGMHWVRQAPGKG 42LEWVAVISYDGSNKYYADSVKGRFTISRDNSKNTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCARGGRYSSNWFSYYYYGMDVWGQGTTVTVSS GGGGS GGGGSGGGGSNFMLTQPPSVSVAPGKTARITCGGNNIGSKSVYWYQQKPGQAPVLVVYDDSDRPSGIPERFSGSNSGNTATLTISRVEAGDEADYYCQVWDSSSDHVVFGGGTKVTVL

Using the amino acid sequence provided for the 2B10 antibody, numerousantibody forms can be prepared, e.g., as described below. Such formsinclude, but are not limited to a substantially intact (e.g., fulllength) immunoglobulin (e.g., an IgA, IgE, IgG, and the like), anantibody fragment (e.g., Fv, Fab, (Fab′)₂, (Fab′)₃, IgGΔCH₂, a minibody,and the like), a single chain antibody (e.g., scFv), a diabody, aunibody, an affibody, and the like.

It will be recognized, that where the antibodies are single chainantibodies, the VH and VL domains comprising such antibody can be joineddirectly together or by a peptide linker. Illustrative peptide linkersinclude, but are not limited to GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS (SEQ ID NO:2), GGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO:3), GGGGS (SEQ ID NO:4), GS GGGGS GGGGS GGS GGGGS (SEQID NO:5), SGGGGS (SEQ ID NO:6), GGGS (SEQ ID NO:7), VPGV (SEQ ID NO:8),VPGVG (SEQ ID NO:9), GVPGVG (SEQ ID NO:10), GVG VP GVG (SEQ ID NO:11),VP GVG VP GVG (SEQ ID NO:12), GGSSRSS (SEQ ID NO:13), andGGSSRSSSSGGGGSGGGG (SEQ ID NO:14), and the like.

As indicated above, in various embodiments, the antibody binds (e.g.,specifically binds CD46 sushi domain 1 (CCP1), and more preferably bindsto an epitope consisting of or comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQID NO:1. Typically antibodies contemplated herein will specifically bindprostate cancer cells including, but not limited to cells of a cell lineselected from the group consisting of DU145 cells, PC3 cells, and LnCaPcells. In certain embodiments the antibody binds to a prostate tumorcell with an affinity greater than (K_(D) less than) about 5 nM whenmeasured on live prostate tumor cells by FACS. In certain embodimentsthe affinity is greater than (KD less than) about 1 nM, or at about 100pM, or about 50 pM, or about 10 pM, or about 1 pM.

Using the sequence information provided herein antibodies comprising oneor more of the CDRs comprising, e.g., 2B10, or antibodies comprising theVH and/or VL domain(s) of these antibodies can readily be prepared usingstandard methods (e.g. chemical synthesis methods and/or recombinantexpression methods) well known to those of skill in the art, e.g., asdescribed below.

In addition, other “related” prostate cancer specific antibodies can beidentified by screening for antibodies that bind to the same epitope(e.g., CD46 sushi domain 1 and/or an epitope comprising the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO:1 (e.g. that compete with the 2B10 antibody forbinding to a prostate cancer cell) and/or by modification of the 2B10antibody identified herein to produce libraries of modified antibody andthen rescreening antibodies in the library for improved binding toprostate cancer cells, specifically to CD46 sushi domain 1.

Identification of Other Antibodies Binding the Same CD46 CCP1 Epitope(s)as 2B10.

Having identified CD46 CCP1, preferably the epitope of SEQ ID NO:1 as auseful antibody target and 2B10 antibody as a useful prototypicalantibody, other “related” antibodies that bind CD46 CCP1, preferablybinding the epitope of SEQ ID NO:1 can readily be identified byscreening for antibodies that bind CD46 CCP1 (especially SEQ ID NO:1),e.g., by raising (e.g., monoclonal antibodies) that specifically bindCD46 CCP1 (especially SEQ ID NO:1). Additionally or alternatively, otherantibodies that bind CD46 CCP1 (especially SEQ ID NO:1), can beidentified by screening for antibodies that that cross-react with the2B10 antibody, e.g., at the epitope bound by 2B10, and/or for antibodiesthat cross-react with the 2B10 antibody for binding to a prostate cancercell (e.g., CaP cells, PC3 cells, etc.), and/or with an idiotypicantibody raised against the 2B10 antibody.

Monoclonal Antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies that bind CD46 CCP1, preferably binding theepitope of SEQ ID NO:1 can be produced using a variety of knowntechniques, such as the standard somatic cell hybridization techniquedescribed by Kohler and Milstein (1975) Nature 256: 495, viral oroncogenic transformation of B lymphocytes or phage display techniqueusing libraries of human antibody genes. In particular embodiments, theantibodies are fully human monoclonal antibodies.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, a hybridoma method is used for producingan antibody that binds CD46 CCP1, preferably binding the epitope of SEQID NO:1. In this method, a mouse or other appropriate host animal can beimmunized with a suitable antigen in order to elicit lymphocytes thatproduce or are capable of producing antibodies that will specificallybind to the antigen used for immunization. Alternatively, lymphocytesmay be immunized in vitro. Lymphocytes can then be fused with myelomacells using a suitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, toform a hybridoma cell (Goding (1986) Monoclonal Antibodies: Principlesand Practice, pp. 59-103 (Academic Press)). Culture medium in whichhybridoma cells are growing is assayed for production of monoclonalantibodies directed against the antigen. After hybridoma cells areidentified that produce antibodies of the desired specificity, affinity,and/or activity, the clones may be subcloned by limiting dilutionprocedures and grown by standard methods (Id.). Suitable culture mediafor this purpose include, for example, D-MEM or RPMI-1640 medium. Inaddition, the hybridoma cells may be grown in vivo as ascites tumors inan animal. The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones can beseparated from the culture medium, ascites fluid, or serum byconventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, forexample, protein A-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gelelectrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity chromatography.

In another embodiment, antibodies and antibody portions that bind CD46CCP1, preferably binding the epitope of SEQ ID NO:1 can be isolated fromantibody phage libraries generated using the techniques described in,for example, McCafferty et al. (1990) Nature, 348: 552-554, Clackson etal. (1991) Nature, 352:624-628, Marks et al. (1991) J. Mol. Biol., 222:581-597, Hoet et al (2005) Nature Biotechnol., 23: 344-348; U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,223,409; 5,403,484; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,698 to Ladner et al.;U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,427,908 and 5,580,717 to Dower et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos.5,969,108 and 6,172,197 to McCafferty et al.; and U.S. Pat. Nos.5,885,793; 6,521,404; 6,544,731; 6,555,313; 6,582,915 and 6,593,081 toGriffiths et al. Additionally, production of high affinity (nM range)human antibodies by chain shuffling (Marks et al. (1992) Bio/Technology,10:779-783), as well as combinatorial infection and in vivorecombination as a strategy for constructing very large phage libraries(Waterhouse et al. (1993), Nuc. Acids. Res., 21: 2265-2266) may also beused.

In a particular embodiment, the monoclonal antibody or antigen bindingportion thereof that binds CD46 CCP1, preferably binding the epitope ofSEQ ID NO:1 is produced using the phage display technique described byHoet et al., supra. This technique involves the generation of a humanFab library having a unique combination of immunoglobulin sequencesisolated from human donors and having synthetic diversity in theheavy-chain CDRs is generated. The library is then screened for Fabsthat bind to CD46 CCP1, preferably comprising the epitope of SEQ IDNO:1.

In yet another embodiment, human monoclonal antibodies directed againstCD46 CCP1, preferably comprising the epitope of SEQ ID NO:61 can begenerated using transgenic or transchromosomic mice carrying parts ofthe human immune system rather than the mouse system (see e.g., Lonberg,et al. (1994) Nature 368(6474): 856-859; Lonberg and Huszar, (1995)Intern. Rev. Immunol. 13: 65-93, Harding and Lonberg (1995) Ann. NY.Acad. Sci. 764: 536-546, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,545,806; 5,569,825;5,625,126; 5,633,425; 5,789,650; 5,877,397; 5,661,016; 5,814,318;5,874,299; and 5,770,429; all to Lonberg and Kay; U.S. Pat. No.5,545,807 to Surani et al.; PCT Publication Nos. WO 92/03918, WO93/12227, WO 94/25585, WO 97/13852, WO 98/24884 and WO 99/45962, all toLonberg and Kay; and PCT Publication No. WO 01/14424 to Korman et al.).

In another embodiment, human antibodies directed against CD46 CCP1,preferably binding the epitope of SEQ ID NO:1 can be raised using amouse that carries human immunoglobulin sequences on transgenes andtranschomosomes, such as a mouse that carries a human heavy chaintransgene and a human light chain transchromosome (see e.g., PCTPublication WO 02/43478 to Ishida et al.).

Alternative transgenic animal systems expressing human immunoglobulingenes are available in the art and can be used to raise anti-CD46 CCPantibodies of the invention. For example, an alternative transgenicsystem referred to as the Xenomouse (Abgenix, Inc.) can be used; suchmice are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,939,598; 6,075,181;6,114,598; 6,150,584 and 6,162,963 to Kucherlapati et al.

Alternative transchromosomic animal systems expressing humanimmunoglobulin genes are available in the art and can be used to raiseanti-CD46 CCP1 antibodies contemplated herein. For example, micecarrying both a human heavy chain transchromosome and a human lightchain tranchromosome can be used; as described in Tomizuka et al. (2000)Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97: 722-727. Furthermore, cows carrying humanheavy and light chain transchromosomes have been described in the art(see, e.g., Kuroiwa et al. (2002) Nature Biotechnology 20: 889-894) andcan be used to raise anti-CD46 CCP1 antibodies.

In yet another embodiment, antibodies that specifically bind CD46 CCP1,preferably binding the epitope of SEQ ID NO:1 can be prepared using atransgenic plant and/or cultured plant cells (such as, for example,tobacco, maize and duckweed) that produce such antibodies. For example,transgenic tobacco leaves expressing antibodies or antigen bindingportions thereof can be used to produce such antibodies by, for example,using an inducible promoter (see, e.g., Cramer et al. (1999) Curr. Top.Microbol. Immunol. 240: 95-118). Also, transgenic maize can be used toexpress such antibodies and antigen binding portions thereof (see, e.g.,Hood et al. (1999) Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 464: 127-147). Antibodies canalso be produced in large amounts from transgenic plant seeds includingantibody portions, such as single chain antibodies (scFv's), forexample, using tobacco seeds and potato tubers (see, e.g., Conrad et al.(1998) Plant Mol. Biol. 38: 101-109). Methods of producing antibodies orantigen binding portions in plants can also be found in, e.g., Fischeret al. (1999) Biotechnol. Appl. Biochem. 30: 99-108, Ma et al. (1995)Trends Biotechnol. 13: 522-527, Ma et al. (1995) Plant Physiol. 109:341-346; Whitelam et al. (1994) Biochem. Soc. Trans. 22: 940-944, andU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,040,498 and 6,815,184.

The binding specificity of monoclonal antibodies or portions thereofthat bind CD46 CCP1, preferably comprising the epitope of SEQ ID NO:1prepared using any technique including those disclosed here, can bedetermined by immunoprecipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, suchas radioimmunoassay (MA) or enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA).The binding affinity of a monoclonal antibody or portion thereof alsocan be determined by the Scatchard analysis of Munson et al. (1980)Anal. Biochem., 107:220.

Cross-Reactivity with Anti-Idiotypic Antibodies.

The idiotype represents the highly variable antigen-binding site of anantibody and is itself immunogenic. During the generation of anantibody-mediated immune response, an individual will develop antibodiesto the antigen as well as anti-idiotype antibodies, whose immunogenicbinding site (idiotype) mimics the antigen.

Anti-idiotypic antibodies can be raised against the variable regions ofthe antibodies identified herein (e.g., 2B10) using standard methodswell known to those of skill in the art. Briefly, anti-idiotypeantibodies can be made by injecting the antibodies of this invention, orfragments thereof (e.g., CDRs) into an animal thereby eliciting antiseraagainst various antigenic determinants on the antibody, includingdeterminants in the idiotypic region.

Methods for the production of anti-analyte antibodies are well known inthe art. Large molecular weight antigens (greater than approx. 5000Daltons) can be injected directly into animals, whereas small molecularweight compounds (less than approx. 5000 Daltons) are preferably coupledto a high molecular weight immunogenic carrier, usually a protein, torender them immunogenic. The antibodies produced in response toimmunization can be utilized as serum, ascites fluid, an immunoglobulin(Ig) fraction, an IgG fraction, or as affinity-purified monospecificmaterial.

Polyclonal anti-idiotype antibodies can be prepared by immunizing ananimal with the antibodies of this invention prepared as describedabove. In general, it is desirable to immunize an animal which isspecies and allotype-matched with the animal from which the antibody(e.g. phage-display library) was derived. This minimizes the productionof antibodies directed against non-idiotypic determinants. The antiserumso obtained is then usually absorbed extensively against normal serumfrom the same species from which the phage-display library was derived,thereby eliminating antibodies directed against non-idiotypicdeterminants. Absorption can be accomplished by passing antiserum over agel formed by crosslinking normal (nonimmune) serum proteins withglutaraldehyde. Antibodies with anti-idiotypic specificity will passdirectly through the gel, while those having specificity fornon-idiotypic determinants will bind to the gel. Immobilizing nonimmuneserum proteins on an insoluble polysaccharide support (e.g., sepharose)also provides a suitable matrix for absorption.

Monoclonal anti-idiotype antibodies can be produced using the method ofKohler et al. (1975) Nature 256: 495. In particular, monoclonalanti-idiotype antibodies can be prepared using hybridoma technologywhich comprises fusing (1) spleen cells from a mouse immunized with theantigen or hapten-carrier conjugate of interest (i.e., the antibodies orthis invention or subsequences thereof) to (2) a mouse myeloma cell linewhich has been selected for resistance to a drug (e.g., 8-azaguanine).In general, it is desirable to use a myeloma cell line which does notsecrete an immunoglobulin. Several such lines are known in the art. Onegenerally preferred cell line is P3X63Ag8.653. This cell line is ondeposit at the American Type Culture Collection as CRL-1580.

Fusion can be carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycolaccording to established methods (see, e.g., Monoclonal Antibodies, R.Kennett, J. McKearn & K. Bechtol, eds. N.Y., Plenum Press, 1980, andCurrent Topics in Microbiology & Immunology, Vol. 81, F. Melchers, M.Potter & N. L. Warner, eds., N.Y., Springer-Verlag, 1978). The resultantmixture of fused and unfused cells is plated out inhypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (HAT) selective medium. Under theseconditions, only hybrid cells will grow.

When sufficient cell growth has occurred, (typically 10-14 dayspost-fusion), the culture medium is harvested and screened for thepresence of monoclonal idiotypic, anti-analyte antibody by any one of anumber of methods which include solid phase MA and enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay. Cells from culture wells containing antibody of thedesired specificity are then expanded and recloned. Cells from thosecultures that remain positive for the antibody of interest are thenusually passed as ascites tumors in susceptible, histocompatible,pristane-primed mice.

Ascites fluid is harvested by tapping the peritoneal cavity, retestedfor antibody, and purified as described above. If a nonsecreting myelomaline is used in the fusion, affinity purification of the monoclonalantibody is not usually necessary since the antibody is alreadyhomogeneous with respect to its antigen-binding characteristics. Allthat is necessary is to isolate it from contaminating proteins inascites, i.e., to produce an immunoglobulin fraction.

Alternatively, the hybrid cell lines of interest can be grown inserum-free tissue culture and the antibody harvested from the culturemedium. In general, this is a less desirable method of obtaining largequantities of antibody because the yield is low. It is also possible topass the cells intravenously in mice and to harvest the antibody fromserum. This method is generally not preferred because of the smallquantity of serum which can be obtained per bleed and because of theneed for extensive purification from other serum components. However,some hybridomas will not grow as ascites tumors and therefore one ofthese alternative methods of obtaining antibody must be used.

Cross-Reactivity with the 2B10 Antibody.

In another approach, antibodies that bind CD46 CCP1, preferably theepitope of SEQ ID NO:1 can be identified by the fact that they bind thesame epitope as the “prototypic” antibodies of this invention (e.g.,2B10)). To identify such antibodies, it s not necessary to isolate thesubject epitope. In certain embodiments, one can screen, e.g. antibodylibraries for antibodies that compete with the prototypic antibodies ofthis invention for binding and/or internalization by a prostate cancercell (e.g. a CaP cell, a PC3 cell, etc.), and/or for binding to the CD46CCP1 epitope identified herein.

Methods of screening libraries for epitope binding and/or cell bindingand/or internalization are well known to those of skill in the art. Incertain embodiments, cross-reactive prostate antibodies show at least60%, preferably 80%, more preferably 90%, and most preferably at least95% or at least 99% cross-reactivity with the 2B10 antibody describedherein.

Phage Display Methods to Select Other “Related” Anti-CD46 CCP1Antibodies.

Using the known sequences for the 2B10 antibody and/or other prostatespecific antibodies, a variety of phage display (or yeast display)methods can be used to generate other antibodies that antibodies thatspecifically bind CD46 CCP1, preferably binding the epitope of SEQ IDNO:1, with the same or even greater affinity.

Chain Shuffling Methods.

One approach to creating creating antibody variants has been to replacethe original V_(H) or V_(L) gene with a repertoire of V-genes to createnew partners (chain shuffling) (Clackson et al. (1991) Nature. 352:624-628) in a phage display or yeast display library. Using chainshuffling and phage display, the affinity of a human scFv antibodyfragment that bound the hapten phenyloxazolone (phOx) was increased from300 nM to 1 nM (300 fold) (Marks et al. (1992) Bio/Technology 10:779-783).

Thus, for example, to alter the affinity of an anti-CD46 CCP1 antibody,a mutant scFv gene repertoire can be created containing a V_(H) gene ofthe prototypic 2B10 antibody (e.g. as shown in Table 1) and a humanV_(L) gene repertoire (light chain shuffling). The scFv gene repertoirecan be cloned into a phage display vector, e.g., pHEN-1 (Hoogenboom etal. (1991) Nucleic Acids Res., 19: 4133-4137) or other vectors, andafter transformation a library of transformants is obtained.

Similarly, for heavy chain shuffling, a mutant scFv gene repertoire canbe created containing a V_(L) gene of the prototypic 2B10 antibody (e.g.as shown in Table 1) and a human V_(H) gene repertoire (heavy chainshuffling). The scFv gene repertoire can be cloned into a phage displayvector, e.g., pHEN-1 (Hoogenboom et al. (1991) Nucleic Acids Res., 19:4133-4137) or other vectors, and after transformation a library oftransformants is obtained.

The resulting libraries can be screened against the relevant target(e.g., CD46 CCP1 antibody) and/or for cross-reactivity with 2B10.

Site-Directed Mutagenesis to Improve Binding Affinity.

The majority of antigen contacting amino acid side chains are typicallylocated in the complementarity determining regions (CDRs), three in theV_(H) (CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3) and three in the V_(L) (CDR1, CDR2, andCDR3) (Chothia et al. (1987) J. Mol. Biol., 196: 901-917; Chothia et al.(1986) Science, 233: 755-8; Nhan et al. (1991) J. Mol. Biol., 217:133-151). These residues contribute the majority of binding energeticsresponsible for antibody affinity for antigen. In other molecules,mutating amino acids which contact ligand has been shown to be aneffective means of increasing the affinity of one protein molecule forits binding partner (Lowman et al. (1993) J. Mol. Biol., 234: 564-578;Wells (1990) Biochemistry, 29: 8509-8516). Site-directed mutagenesis ofCDRs and screening against the prostate cancer cells, in particular forbinding at CD46 CCP1 e.g. as described herein in the examples, canproduce antibodies having improved binding affinity.

CDR Randomization to Produce Higher Affinity Human scFv.

In an extension of simple site-directed mutagenesis, mutant antibodylibraries can be created where partial or entire CDRs are randomized(V_(L) CDR1 CDR2 and/or CDR3 and/or V_(H) CDR1, CDR2 and/or CDR3). Inone embodiment, each CDR is randomized in a separate library, using aknown antibody (e.g., 2B10) as a template. The CDR sequences of thehighest affinity mutants from each CDR library are combined to obtain anadditive increase in affinity. A similar approach has been used toincrease the affinity of human growth hormone (hGH) for the growthhormone receptor over 1500 fold from 3.4×10⁻¹⁰ to 9.0×10⁻¹³ M (Lowman etal. (1993) J. Mol. Biol., 234: 564-578).

V_(H) CDR3 often occupies the center of the binding pocket, and thusmutations in this region are likely to result in an increase in affinity(Clackson et al. (1995) Science, 267: 383-386). In one embodiment, fourV_(H) CDR3 residues are randomized at a time using the nucleotides NNS(see, e.g., Schier et al. (1996) Gene, 169: 147-155; Schier and Marks(1996) Human Antibodies and Hybridomas. 7: 97-105, 1996; and Schier etal. (1996) J. Mol. Biol. 263: 551-567).

Other Antibody Modifications.

In one embodiment, partial antibody sequences derived from the 2B10antibody may be used to produce structurally and functionally relatedantibodies. For example, antibodies interact with target antigenspredominantly through amino acid residues that are located in the sixheavy and light chain complementarity determining regions (CDRs). Forthis reason, the amino acid sequences within CDRs are more diversebetween individual antibodies than sequences outside of CDRs. BecauseCDR sequences are responsible for most antibody-antigen interactions, itis possible to express recombinant antibodies that mimic the propertiesof specific naturally occurring antibodies by constructing expressionvectors that include CDR sequences from the specific naturally occurringantibody grafted onto framework sequences from a different antibody withdifferent properties (see, e.g., Riechmann et al. (1998) Nature 332:323-327; Jones et al., (1986) Nature 321: 522-525; and Queen et al.(1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 86: 10029-10033). Such frameworksequences can be obtained from public DNA databases that includegermline antibody gene sequences.

Thus, one or more structural features of an anti-CD46 CPP1 antibody ofthe invention, such as the CDRs, can be used to create structurallyrelated anti-CD46 CPP1 antibodies that retain at least one functionalproperty of, for example, the 2B10 antibody, e.g., binding andinternalizing into prostate cancer cells.

In a particular embodiment, one or more 2B10 CDR regions (e.g. VH CDR1,and/or CDR2, and/or CDR3, and/or VL CDR1, and/or CDR2, and/or CDR3) iscombined recombinantly with known human framework regions and CDRs tocreate additional, recombinantly-engineered, anti-CD46 CPP1 antibodies.The heavy and light chain variable framework regions can be derived fromthe same or different antibody sequences.

It is well known in the art that antibody heavy and light chain CDR3domains play a particularly important role in the bindingspecificity/affinity of an antibody for an antigen (see, e.g., Hall etal. (1992) J. Immunol., 149: 1605-1612; Polymenis et al. (1994) J.Immunol., 152: 5318-5329; Jahn et al. (1995) Immunobiol., 193:400-419;Klimka et al. (2000) Brit. J. Cancer, 83: 252-260; Beiboer et al. (2000)J. Mol. Biol, 296: 833-849; Rader et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.USA, 95: 8910-8915; Barbas et al. (1994) J. Am. Chem. Soc., 116:2161-2162; Ditzel et al. (1996) J. Immunol., 157: 739-749). Accordingly,in certain embodiments, antibodies are generated that include the heavyand/or light chain CDR3s of the particular antibodies described herein(e.g., 2B10). It is also noted, however that 2B10 differs from UA20antibody, in part, by mutations in CDR1. Accordingly, in certainembodiments, antibodies are generated that include the heavy and/orlight chain CDR1s of the particular antibodies described herein (e.g.,2B10). The antibodies can further include the other heavy and/or lightchain CDRs of the antibodies of the present invention (e.g., 2B10).

In certain embodiments the CDR1, 2, and/or 3 regions of the engineeredantibodies described above can comprise the exact amino acid sequence(s)as those disclosed herein (e.g., CDRs of 2B10). However, the ordinarilyskilled artisan will appreciate that some deviation from the exact CDRsequences may be possible while still retaining the ability of theantibody to bind CD46 CPP1 effectively (e.g., conservative amino acidsubstitutions). Accordingly, in another embodiment, the engineeredantibody may be composed of one or more CDRs that are, for example, 90%,95%, 98%, 99% or 99.5% identical to one or more CDRs of the 2B10antibody.

In another embodiment, one or more residues of a CDR may be altered tomodify binding to achieve a more favored on-rate of binding. Using thisstrategy, an antibody having ultra high binding affinity of, forexample, 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ or more, can be achieved. Affinity maturationtechniques, well known in the art and those described herein, can beused to alter the CDR region(s) followed by screening of the resultantbinding molecules for the desired change in binding. Accordingly, asCDR(s) are altered, changes in binding affinity as well asimmunogenicity can be monitored and scored such that an antibodyoptimized for the best combined binding and low immunogenicity areachieved.

In addition to, or instead of, modifications within the CDRs,modifications can also be made within one or more of the frameworkregions, FR1, FR2, FR3 and FR4, of the heavy and/or the light chainvariable regions of an antibody, so long as these modifications do noteliminate the binding affinity of the antibody.

In another embodiment, the antibody is further modified with respect toeffector function, so as to enhance the effectiveness of the antibody intreating cancer, for example. For example cysteine residue(s) may beintroduced in the Fc region, thereby allowing interchain disulfide bondformation in this region. The homodimeric antibody thus generated mayhave improved internalization capability and/or increasedcomplement-mediated cell killing and antibody-dependent cellularcytotoxicity (ADCC) (see, e.g., Caron et al. (1992) J. Exp Med. 176:1191-1195; Shopes (1992) J. Immunol. 148: 2918-2922). Homodimericantibodies with enhanced anti-tumor activity may also be prepared usingheterobifunctional cross-linkers (see, e.g., Wolff et al. (1993) CancerRes. 53:2560-2565). Alternatively, an antibody can be engineered whichhas dual Fc regions and may thereby have enhanced complement lysis andADCC capabilities (see, e.g., Stevenson et al. (1989) Anti-Cancer DrugDesign 3: 219-230).

Antibody Production.

In various embodiments antibodies described herein can be produced bychemical synthesis or can be recombinantly expressed.

Chemical Synthesis.

Using the sequence information provided herein, the CD46 Sushi domain 1specific antibodies described herein (e.g., 2B10), or variants thereof,can be chemically synthesized using well known methods of peptidesynthesis. Solid phase synthesis in which the C-terminal amino acid ofthe sequence is attached to an insoluble support followed by sequentialaddition of the remaining amino acids in the sequence is one preferredmethod for the chemical synthesis of single chain antibodies. Techniquesfor solid phase synthesis are described by Barany and Merrifield, SolidPhase Peptide Synthesis; pp. 3-284 in The Peptides: Analysis, Synthesis,Biology. Vol. 2: Special Methods in Peptide Synthesis, Part A.,Merrifield et al. (1963) J. Am. Chem. Soc., 85: 2149-2156, and Stewartet al. (1984) Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2nd ed. Pierce Chem. Co.,Rockford, Ill.

Recombinant Expression of Prostate Cancer-Specific Antibodies.

In certain embodiments, the CD46 Sushi domain 1 specific antibodiesdescribed herein (e.g., 2B10), or variants thereof, are recombinantlyexpressed using methods well known to those of skill in the art. Forexample, using the 2B10 sequence information provided herein, nucleicacids encoding the desired antibody can be prepared according to anumber of standard methods known to those of skill in the art. Thenucleic acids are transfected into host cells that then express thedesired antibody or a chain thereof.

Molecular cloning techniques to achieve these ends are known in the art.A wide variety of cloning and in vitro amplification methods aresuitable for the construction of recombinant nucleic acids. Examples ofthese techniques and instructions sufficient to direct persons of skillthrough many cloning exercises are found in Berger and Kimmel, Guide toMolecular Cloning Techniques, Methods in Enzymology volume 152 AcademicPress, Inc., San Diego, Calif. (Berger); Sambrook et al. (1989)Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual (2nd ed.) Vol. 1-3, Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY, (Sambrook); and CurrentProtocols in Molecular Biology, F. M. Ausubel et al., eds., CurrentProtocols, a joint venture between Greene Publishing Associates, Inc.and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., (1994 Supplement) (Ausubel). Methods ofproducing recombinant immunoglobulins are also known in the art. See,Cabilly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; and Queen et al. (1989) Proc. NatlAcad. Sci. USA 86: 10029-10033. In addition, detailed protocols for theexpression of antibodies are also provided by Liu et al. (2004) CancerRes. 64: 704-710, Poul et al. (2000) J. Mol. Biol. 301: 1149-1161, andthe like.

Creation of Other Antibody Forms.

Using the known and/or identified sequences (e.g. V_(H) and/or V_(L)sequences) of the single chain antibodies provided herein other antibodyforms can readily be created. Such forms include, but are not limited tomultivalent antibodies, full antibodies, scFv, (scFv′)₂, Fab, (Fab′)₂,chimeric antibodies, and the like.

Creation of Homodimers.

For example, to create (scFv′)₂ antibodies, two anti-CD46 CPP1antibodies are joined, either through a linker (e.g., a carbon linker, apeptide, etc.) or through a disulfide bond between, for example, twocysteins. Thus, for example, to create disulfide linked scFv, a cysteineresidue can be introduced by site directed mutagenesis at thecarboxy-terminus of the antibodies described herein.

An scFv can be expressed from this construct, purified by IMAC, andanalyzed by gel filtration. To produce (scFv′)₂ dimers, the cysteine isreduced by incubation with 1 mM 3-mercaptoethanol, and half of the scFvblocked by the addition of DTNB. Blocked and unblocked scFvs areincubated together to form (scFv′)₂ and the resulting material can beanalyzed by gel filtration. The affinity of the resulting dimmer can bedetermined using standard methods, e.g. by BIAcore.

In one illustrative embodiment, the (scFv′)₂ dimer is created by joiningthe scFv′ fragments through a linker, e.g., through a peptide linker.This can be accomplished by a wide variety of means well known to thoseof skill in the art. For example, one approach is described by Holligeret al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90: 6444-6448 (see also WO94/13804).

It is noted that using the V_(H) and/or V_(L) sequences provided hereinFabs and (Fab′)₂ dimers can also readily be prepared. Fab is a lightchain joined to V_(H)-C_(H)1 by a disulfide bond and can readily becreated using standard methods known to those of skill in the art. TheF(ab)′₂ can be produced by dimerizing the Fab, e.g. as described abovefor the (scFv′)₂ dimer.

Chimeric Antibodies.

The antibodies contemplated herein also include “chimeric” antibodies inwhich a portion of the heavy and/or light chain is identical with orhomologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from aparticular species or belonging to a particular antibody class orsubclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is identical with orhomologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from anotherspecies or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, as well asfragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit the desiredbiological activity (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Morrison et al.(1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81: 6851-6855, etc.).

While the prototypic antibodies provided herein (e.g., 2B10) are fullyhuman antibodies, chimeric antibodies are contemplated, particularlywhen such antibodies are to be used in species other than humans (e.g.,in veterinary applications). Chimeric antibodies are antibodiescomprising portions from two different species (e.g. a human andnon-human portion). Typically, the antigen combining region (or variableregion) of a chimeric antibody is derived from a one species source andthe constant region of the chimeric antibody (which confers biologicaleffector function to the immunoglobulin) is derived from another source.A large number of methods of generating chimeric antibodies are wellknown to those of skill in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,502,167,5,500,362, 5,491,088, 5,482,856, 5,472,693, 5,354,847, 5,292,867,5,231,026, 5,204,244, 5,202,238, 5,169,939, 5,081,235, 5,075,431, and4,975,369, and PCT application WO 91/0996).

In general, the procedures used to produce chimeric antibodies consistof the following steps (the order of some steps may be interchanged):(a) identifying and cloning the correct gene segment encoding theantigen binding portion of the antibody molecule; this gene segment(known as the VDJ, variable, diversity and joining regions for heavychains or VJ, variable, joining regions for light chains, or simply asthe V or variable region or V_(H) and V_(L) regions) may be in eitherthe cDNA or genomic form; (b) cloning the gene segments encoding thehuman constant region or desired part thereof; (c) ligating the variableregion to the constant region so that the complete chimeric antibody isencoded in a transcribable and translatable form; (d) ligating thisconstruct into a vector containing a selectable marker and gene controlregions such as promoters, enhancers and poly(A) addition signals; (e)amplifying this construct in a host cell (e.g., bacteria); (f)introducing the DNA into eukaryotic cells (transfection) most oftenmammalian lymphocytes; and culturing the host cell under conditionssuitable for expression of the chimeric antibody.

Antibodies of several distinct antigen binding specificities have beenmanipulated by these protocols to produce chimeric proteins (e.g.,anti-TNP: Boulianne et al. (1984) Nature, 312: 643) and anti-tumorantigens (see, e.g., Sahagan et al. (1986) J. Immunol., 137: 1066).Likewise several different effector functions have been achieved bylinking new sequences to those encoding the antigen binding region. Someof these include enzymes (Neuberger et al. (1984) Nature 312: 604),immunoglobulin constant regions from another species and constantregions of another immunoglobulin chain (Sharon et al. (1984) Nature309: 364; Tan et al., (1985) J. Immunol. 135: 3565-3567).

In certain embodiments, a recombinant DNA vector is used to transfect acell line that produces an anti-CD46 CPP1 (e.g., a prostate cancerspecific) antibody. The novel recombinant DNA vector contains a“replacement gene” to replace all or a portion of the gene encoding theimmunoglobulin constant region in the cell line (e.g., a replacementgene may encode all or a portion of a constant region of a humanimmunoglobulin, a specific immunoglobulin class, or an enzyme, a toxin,a biologically active peptide, a growth factor, inhibitor, or a linkerpeptide to facilitate conjugation to a drug, toxin, or other molecule,etc.), and a “target sequence” that allows for targeted homologousrecombination with immunoglobulin sequences within the antibodyproducing cell.

In another embodiment, a recombinant DNA vector is used to transfect acell line that produces an antibody having a desired effector function,(e.g., a constant region of a human immunoglobulin) in which case, thereplacement gene contained in the recombinant vector may encode all or aportion of a region of a prostate cancer specific antibody of thisinvention and the target sequence contained in the recombinant vectorallows for homologous recombination and targeted gene modificationwithin the antibody producing cell. In either embodiment, when only aportion of the variable or constant region is replaced, the resultingchimeric antibody can define the same antigen and/or have the sameeffector function yet be altered or improved so that the chimericantibody may demonstrate a greater antigen specificity, greater affinitybinding constant, increased effector function, or increased secretionand production by the transfected antibody producing cell line, etc.

Regardless of the embodiment practiced, the processes of selection forintegrated DNA (via a selectable marker), screening for chimericantibody production, and cell cloning, can be used to obtain a clone ofcells producing the chimeric antibody.

Thus, a piece of DNA that encodes a modification for a monoclonalantibody can be targeted directly to the site of the expressedimmunoglobulin gene within a B-cell or hybridoma cell line. DNAconstructs for any particular modification can be made to alter theprotein product of any monoclonal cell line or hybridoma. The level ofexpression of chimeric antibody should be higher when the gene is at itsnatural chromosomal location rather than at a random position. Detailedmethods for preparation of chimeric (humanized) antibodies can be foundin U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,856.

3) Intact Human Antibodies.

In another embodiment, this invention provides for intact, fully humananti-CD46 CPP1 (e.g., prostate cancer specific) antibodies. Suchantibodies can readily be produced in a manner analogous to makingchimeric human antibodies. In this instance, instead of using arecognition function derived, e.g. from a murine, the fully humanrecognition function (e.g., VH and V_(L)) of the antibodies describedherein is utilized.

4) Diabodies.

In certain embodiments, diabodies comprising one or more of the V_(H)and V_(L) domains described herein are contemplated. The term“diabodies” refers to antibody fragments typically having twoantigen-binding sites. The fragments typically comprise a heavy chainvariable domain (V_(H)) connected to a light chain variable domain(V_(L)) in the same polypeptide chain (V_(H)-V_(L)). By using a linkerthat is too short to allow pairing between the two domains on the samechain, the domains are forced to pair with the complementary domains ofanother chain and create two antigen-binding sites. Diabodies aredescribed more fully in, for example, EP 404,097; WO 93/11161, andHolliger et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90: 6444-6448.

5) Unibodies.

In certain embodiments using the sequence information provided herein,the anti-CD46 CPP1 antibodies can be constructed as unibodies. UniBodyare antibody technology that produces a stable, smaller antibody formatwith an anticipated longer therapeutic window than certain smallantibody formats. In certain embodiments unibodies are produced fromIgG4 antibodies by eliminating the hinge region of the antibody. Unlikethe full size IgG4 antibody, the half molecule fragment is very stableand is termed a uniBody. Halving the IgG4 molecule leaves only one areaon the UniBody that can bind to a target. Methods of producing unibodiesare described in detail in PCT Publication WO2007/059782, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety (see, also, Kolfschotenet al. (2007) Science 317: 1554-1557).

6) Affibodies.

In certain embodiments the sequence information provided herein is usedto construct affibody molecules that CD46 CPP1. Affibody molecules areclass of affinity proteins based on a 58-amino acid residue proteindomain, derived from one of the IgG-binding domains of staphylococcalprotein A. This three helix bundle domain has been used as a scaffoldfor the construction of combinatorial phagemid libraries, from whichaffibody variants that target the desired molecules can be selectedusing phage display technology (see, e.g., Nord et al. (1997) Nat.Biotechnol. 15: 772-777; Ronmark et al. (2002) Eur. J. Biochem., 269:2647-2655.). Details of Affibodies and methods of production are knownto those of skill (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,012 which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

It will be recognized that the antibodies described above can beprovided as whole intact antibodies (e.g., IgG), antibody fragments, orsingle chain antibodies, using methods well known to those of skill inthe art. In addition, while the antibody can be from essentially anymammalian species, to reduce immunogenicity, it is desirable to use anantibody that is of the species in which the antibody and/orimmunoconjugate is to be used. In other words, for use in a human, it isdesirable to use a human, humanized, or chimeric human antibody.

Measurement of Antibody/Polypeptide Binding Affinity.

As explained above, selection for increased avidity can involvesmeasuring the affinity of the antibody for the target antigen (e.g.,CD46 CPP1, especially the epitope comprising or consisting of SEQ IDNO:1). Methods of making such measurements are well known to those ofskill in the art. Briefly, for example, the K_(d) of the antibody isdetermined from the kinetics of binding to, e.g. the target cell in aBIAcore, a biosensor based on surface plasmon resonance. For thistechnique, the antigen or cell is coupled to a derivatized sensor chipcapable of detecting changes in mass. When antibody is passed over thesensor chip, antibody binds to the antigen resulting in an increase inmass that is quantifiable. Measurement of the rate of association as afunction of antibody concentration can be used to calculate theassociation rate constant (k_(on)). After the association phase, bufferis passed over the chip and the rate of dissociation of antibody(k_(off)) determined. K_(on) is typically measured in the range 1.0×10²to 5.0×10⁶ and k_(off) in the range 1.0×10⁻¹ to 1.0×10⁻⁶. Theequilibrium constant K_(d) is often calculated as k_(off)/k_(on) andthus is typically measured in the range 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻¹². Affinitiesmeasured in this manner correlate well with affinities measured insolution by fluorescence quench titration.

Immunoconjugates Comprising 2B10 or Other Anti-CD46 CCP1 (e.g., Anti-SEQID NO:16) Antibodies.

The prototypical anti-CD46 CCP1 antibody (2B10) described hereinspecifically binds to and is internalized by prostate cancer cells andby other CD46 positive cancer cells. The antibodies can be used alone astherapeutics (e.g., to inhibit growth and/or proliferation of a prostatecancer cell) or they can be coupled to an effector formingimmunoconjugates that provide efficient and specific delivery of theeffector (e.g. cytotoxins, labels, radionuclides, ligands, antibodies,drugs, liposomes, nanoparticles, viral particles, cytokines, and thelike) to various cancer cells that express CD46 (e.g., isolated cells,metastatic cells, solid tumor cells, etc.).

Anti-CD46 CPP1 immunoconjugates can be formed by conjugating theantibodies or antigen binding portions thereof described herein to aneffector (e.g., a detectable label, another therapeutic agent, etc.).Suitable agents include, for example, a cytotoxic or cytostatic agent(e.g., a chemotherapeutic agent), a toxin (e.g. an enzymatically activetoxin of bacterial, fungal, plant or animal origin, or fragmentsthereof), and/or a radioactive isotope (i.e., a radioconjugate).

In certain embodiments, the effector comprises a detectable label.Suitable detectable labels include, but are not limited to radio-opaquelabels, nanoparticles, PET labels, MRI labels, radioactive labels, andthe like. Among the radionuclides and useful in various embodiments ofthe present invention, gamma-emitters, positron-emitters, x-ray emittersand fluorescence-emitters are suitable for localization, diagnosisand/or staging, and/or therapy, while beta and alpha-emitters andelectron and neutron-capturing agents, such as boron and uranium, alsocan be used for therapy.

The detectable labels can be used in conjunction with an externaldetector and/or an internal detector and provide a means of effectivelylocalizing and/or visualizing prostate cancer cells. Suchdetection/visualization can be useful in various contexts including, butnot limited to pre-operative and intraoperative settings. Thus, incertain embodiment this invention relates to a method ofintraoperatively detecting and prostate cancers in the body of a mammal.These methods typically involve administering to the mammal acomposition comprising, in a quantity sufficient for detection by adetector (e.g. a gamma detecting probe), an prostate cancer specificantibody labeled with a detectable label (e.g. antibodies of thisinvention labeled with a radioisotope, e.g. ¹⁶¹Tb, ¹²³I, ¹²⁵I, and thelike), and, after allowing the active substance to be taken up by thetarget tissue, and preferably after blood clearance of the label,subjecting the mammal to a radioimmunodetection technique in therelevant area of the body, e.g. by using a gamma detecting probe.

In certain embodiments the label-bound antibody can be used in thetechnique of radioguided surgery, wherein relevant tissues in the bodyof a subject can be detected and located intraoperatively by means of adetector, e.g. a gamma detecting probe. The surgeon can,intraoperatively, use this probe to find the tissues in which uptake ofthe compound labeled with a radioisotope, that is, e.g. a low-energygamma photon emitter, has taken place. In certain embodiments suchmethods are particularly useful in localizing and removing secondarycancers produced by metastatic cells from a primary tumor.

In addition to detectable labels, certain preferred effectors include,but are not limited to cytotoxins (e.g. Pseudomonas exotoxin, ricin,abrin, Diphtheria toxin, and the like), or cytotoxic drugs or prodrugs,in which case the chimeric molecule may act as a potent cell-killingagent specifically targeting the cytotoxin to prostate cancer cells.

In still other embodiments, the effector can include a liposomeencapsulating a drug (e.g. an anti-cancer drug such as abraxane,doxorubicin, pamidronate disodium, anastrozole, exemestane,cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, toremifene, letrozole, trastuzumab,megestroltamoxifen, paclitaxel, docetaxel, capecitabine, goserelinacetate, zoledronic acid, vinblastine, etc.), an antigen that stimulatesrecognition of the bound cell by components of the immune system, anantibody that specifically binds immune system components and directsthem to the prostate cancer, and the like.

Illustrative Effectors.

Imaging Compositions.

In certain embodiments, the anti-CD46 CPP1 immunoconjugates can be usedto direct detectable labels to a tumor site. This can facilitate tumordetection and/or localization. It can be effective for detecting primarytumors, or, in certain embodiments, secondary tumors produced by, e.g.,prostate metastatic cells. In certain embodiments, the effectorcomponent of the immunoconjugate comprises a “radio-opaque” label, e.g.a label that can be easily visualized using x-rays. Radio-opaquematerials are well known to those of skill in the art. The most commonradio-opaque materials include iodide, bromide or barium salts. Otherradiopaque materials are also known and include, but are not limited to,organic bismuth derivatives (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,045),radio-opaque polyurethanes (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,981),organobismuth composites (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,334),radio-opaque barium polymer complexes (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.4,866,132), and the like.

The anti-CD46 CPP1 antibodies described herein can be coupled directlyto the radio-opaque moiety or they can be attached to a “package” (e.g.,a chelate, a liposome, a polymer microbead, a nanoparticle, etc.)carrying, containing, or comprising the radio-opaque material, e.g., asdescribed below.

In addition to radio-opaque labels, other labels are also suitable foruse. Detectable labels suitable for use in immunoconjugates include anycomposition detectable by spectroscopic, photochemical, biochemical,immunochemical, electrical, optical or chemical means. Useful labels inthe include magnetic beads (e.g., DYNABEADS™), fluorescent dyes (e.g.,fluorescein isothiocyanate, texas red, rhodamine, green fluorescentprotein, and the like), radiolabels (e.g., ³H, ¹²⁵I, ³⁵S, ¹⁴C, or ³²P),enzymes (e.g., horse radish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase and otherscommonly used in an ELISA), and colorimetric labels such as colloidalgold or colored glass or plastic (e.g. polystyrene, polypropylene,latex, etc.) beads, nanoparticles, quantum dots, and the like.

In certain embodiments, suitable radiolabels include, but are notlimited to, ⁹⁹Tc, ²⁰³Pb, ⁶⁷Ga, ⁶⁸Ga, ⁷²As, ¹¹¹In, ^(113m)In, ⁹⁷Ru, ⁶²Cu,641Cu, ⁵²Fe, ^(52m)Mn, ⁵¹Cr, ¹⁸⁶Re, ¹⁸⁸Re, ⁷⁷As, ⁹⁰Y, ⁶⁷Cu, ¹⁶⁹Er,¹²¹Sn, ¹²⁷Te, ¹⁴²Pr, ¹⁴³Pr, ¹⁹⁸Au, ¹⁹⁹Au, ¹⁶¹Tb, ¹⁰⁹Pd, ¹⁶⁵Dy, ¹⁴⁹Pm,¹⁵¹Pm, ¹⁵³Sm, ¹⁵⁷Gd, ¹⁵⁹Gd, ¹⁶⁶Ho, ¹⁷²Tm, ¹⁶⁹Yb, ¹⁷⁵Yb, ¹⁷⁷Lu, ¹⁰⁵Rh,and ¹¹¹Ag.

Means of detecting such labels are well known to those of skill in theart. Thus, for example, certain radiolabels may be detected usingphotographic film, scintillation detectors, PET imaging, MRI, and thelike. Fluorescent markers can be detected using a photodetector todetect emitted illumination. Enzymatic labels are typically detected byproviding the enzyme with a substrate and detecting the reaction productproduced by the action of the enzyme on the substrate, and colorimetriclabels are detected by simply visualizing the colored label.

Radiosensitizers.

In another embodiment, the effector can comprise a radiosensitizer thatenhances the cytotoxic effect of ionizing radiation (e.g., such as mightbe produced by ⁶⁰Co or an x-ray source) on a cell. Numerousradiosensitizing agents are known and include, but are not limited tobenzoporphyrin derivative compounds (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,945,439), 1,2,4-benzotriazine oxides (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,849,738), compounds containing certain diamines (see, e.g., U.S. Pat.No. 5,700,825), BCNT (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,872,107),radiosensitizing nitrobenzoic acid amide derivatives (see, e.g., U.S.Pat. No. 4,474,814), various heterocyclic derivatives (see, e.g., U.S.Pat. No. 5,064,849), platinum complexes (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.4,921,963), and the like.

Alpha Emitters.

In certain embodiments, the effector can include an alpha emitter, i.e.a radioactive isotope that emits alpha particles. Alpha-emitters haverecently been shown to be effective in the treatment of cancer (see,e.g., McDevitt et al. (2001) Science 294:1537-1540; Ballangrud et al.(2001) Cancer Res. 61: 2008-2014; Borchardt et al. (2003) Cancer Res.63: 5084-50). Suitable alpha emitters include, but are not limited toBi, ²¹³Bi, ²¹¹At, and the like.

Chelates

Many of the pharmaceuticals and/or radiolabels described herein can beprovided as a chelate. The chelating molecule is typically coupled to amolecule (e.g. biotin, avidin, streptavidin, etc.) that specificallybinds an epitope tag attached to an anti-CD46 CPP1 antibody describedherein.

Chelating groups are well known to those of skill in the art. In certainembodiments, chelating groups are derived from ethylene diaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA), diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA),cyclohexyl 1,2-diamine tetra-acetic acid (CDTA),ethyleneglycol-O,O′-bis(2-aminoethyl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetra-acetic acid(EGTA), N,N-bis(hydroxybenzyl)-ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid(HBED), triethylene tetramine hexa-acetic acid (TTHA),1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N′-,N″,N′″-tetra-acetic acid (DOTA),hydroxyethyldiamine triacetic acid (HEDTA),1,4,8,11-tetra-azacyclotetradecane-N,N′,N″,N′″-tetra-acetic acid (TETA),substituted DTPA, substituted EDTA, and the like.

Examples of certain preferred chelators include unsubstituted or,substituted 2-iminothiolanes and 2-iminothiacyclohexanes, in particular2-imino-4-mercaptomethylthiolane.

One chelating agent,1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N,N″,N″-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), is ofparticular interest because of its ability to chelate a number ofdiagnostically and therapeutically important metals, such asradionuclides and radiolabels.

Conjugates of DOTA and proteins such as antibodies have been described.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,156 teaches a method for conjugatingDOTA to antibodies and antibody fragments. To make these conjugates, onecarboxylic acid group of DOTA is converted to an active ester which canreact with an amine or sulfhydryl group on the antibody or antibodyfragment. Lewis et al. (1994) Bioconjugate Chem. 5: 565-576, describes asimilar method wherein one carboxyl group of DOTA is converted to anactive ester, and the activated DOTA is mixed with an antibody, linkingthe antibody to DOTA via the epsilon-amino group of a lysine residue ofthe antibody, thereby converting one carboxyl group of DOTA to an amidemoiety.

In certain embodiments the chelating agent can be coupled, directly orthrough a linker, to an epitope tag or to a moiety that binds an epitopetag. Conjugates of DOTA and biotin have been described (see, e.g., Su(1995) J. Nucl. Med., 36 (5 Suppl):154P, which discloses the linkage ofDOTA to biotin via available amino side chain biotin derivatives such asDOTA-LC-biotin or DOTA-benzyl-4-(6-amino-caproamide)-biotin). Yau etal., WO 95/15335, disclose a method of producing nitro-benzyl-DOTAcompounds that can be conjugated to biotin. The method comprises acyclization reaction via transient projection of a hydroxy group;tosylation of an amine; deprotection of the transiently protectedhydroxy group; tosylation of the deprotected hydroxy group; andintramolecular tosylate cyclization. Wu et al. (1992) Nucl. Med. Biol.,19(2): 239-244 discloses a synthesis of macrocylic chelating agents forradiolabeling proteins with ¹¹¹IN and ⁹⁰Y. Wu et al. makes a labeledDOTA-biotin conjugate to study the stability and biodistribution ofconjugates with avidin, a model protein for studies. This conjugate wasmade using a biotin hydrazide which contained a free amino group toreact with an in situ generated activated DOTA derivative.

Cytotoxins.

The anti-CD46 CPP1 antibodies described herein can be used to deliver avariety of cytotoxic drugs including therapeutic drugs, a compoundemitting radiation, molecules of plants, fungal, or bacterial origin,biological proteins, and mixtures thereof. The cytotoxic drugs can beintracellularly acting cytotoxic drugs, such as short-range radiationemitters, including, for example, short-range, high-energy α-emitters asdescribed above.

Enzymatically active toxins and fragments. thereof are exemplified bydiphtheria toxin A fragment, nonbinding active fragments of diphtheriatoxin, exotoxin A (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa), ricin A chain, abrin Achain, modeccin A chain, .alpha.-sacrin, certain Aleurites fordiiproteins, certain Dianthin proteins, Phytolacca americana proteins (PAP,PAPII and PAP-S), Morodica charantia inhibitor, curcin, crotin,Saponaria officinalis inhibitor, gelonin, mitogillin, restrictocin,phenomycin, enomycin, and the tricothecenes, for example. A variety ofradionuclides are available for the production of radioconjugatedantibodies. Examples include, but are not limited to ²¹²Bi, ¹³¹I, ¹³¹In,⁹⁰Y, ¹⁸⁶Re, and the like.

In certain embodiments the cytotoxins can include, but are not limitedto Pseudomonas exotoxins, Diphtheria toxins, ricin, abrin andderivatives thereof. Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) is an extremely activemonomeric protein (molecular weight 66 kD), secreted by Pseudomonasaeruginosa, which inhibits protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells throughthe inactivation of elongation factor 2 (EF-2) by catalyzing itsADP-ribosylation (catalyzing the transfer of the ADP ribosyl moiety ofoxidized NAD onto EF-2).

The toxin contains three structural domains that act in concert to causecytotoxicity. Domain Ia (amino acids 1-252) mediates cell binding.Domain II (amino acids 253-364) is responsible for translocation intothe cytosol and domain III (amino acids 400-613) mediates ADPribosylation of elongation factor 2, which inactivates the protein andcauses cell death. The function of domain Ib (amino acids 365-399)remains undefined, although a large part of it, amino acids 365-380, canbe deleted without loss of cytotoxicity. See Siegall et al. (1989) J.Biol. Chem. 264: 14256-14261.

In certain embodiments the antibody is attached to a preferred moleculein which domain Ia (amino acids 1 through 252) is deleted and aminoacids 365 to 380 have been deleted from domain Ib. In certainembodiments all of domain Ib and a portion of domain II (amino acids 350to 394) can be deleted, particularly if the deleted sequences arereplaced with a linking peptide.

In addition, the PE and other cytotoxic proteins can be further modifiedusing site-directed mutagenesis or other techniques known in the art, toalter the molecule for a particular desired application. For example,means to alter the PE molecule in a manner that does not substantiallyaffect the functional advantages provided by the PE molecules describedhere can also be used and such resulting molecules are intended to becovered herein.

Methods of cloning genes encoding PE fused to various ligands are wellknown to those of skill in the art (see, e.g., Siegall et al. (1989)FASEB J., 3: 2647-2652; and Chaudhary et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA, 84: 4538-4542).

Like PE, diphtheria toxin (DT) kills cells by ADP-ribosylatingelongation factor 2 thereby inhibiting protein synthesis. Diphtheriatoxin, however, is divided into two chains, A and B, linked by adisulfide bridge. In contrast to PE, chain B of DT, which is on thecarboxyl end, is responsible for receptor binding and chain A, which ispresent on the amino end, contains the enzymatic activity (Uchida et al.(1972) Science, 175: 901-903; Uchida et al. (1973) J. Biol. Chem., 248:3838-3844).

In certain embodiments, the antibody-Diphtheria toxin immunoconjugatesof this invention have the native receptor-binding domain removed bytruncation of the Diphtheria toxin B chain. One illustrative modifiedDipththeria toxin is DT388, a DT in which the carboxyl terminal sequencebeginning at residue 389 is removed (see, e.g., Chaudhary et al. (1991)Bioch. Biophys. Res. Comm., 180: 545-551). Like the PE chimericcytotoxins, the DT molecules can be chemically conjugated to theprostate cancer specific antibody, but, in certain preferredembodiments, the antibody will be fused to the Diphtheria toxin byrecombinant means (see, e.g., Williams et al. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265:11885-11889).

Viral Particles.

In certain embodiments, the effector comprises a viral particle (e.g., afilamentous phage, an adeno-associated virus (AAV), a lentivirus, andthe like). The antibody can be conjugated to the viral particle and/orcan be expressed on the surface of the viral particle (e.g. afilamentous phage). The viral particle can additionally include anucleic acid that is to be delivered to the target (e.g., prostatecancer) cell. The use of viral particles to deliver nucleic acids tocells is described in detail in WO 99/55720, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,670,188,6,642,051, and 6,669,936.

Other Therapeutic Moieties.

Other suitable effector molecules include pharmacological agents orencapsulation systems containing various pharmacological agents. Asshown in FIG. 9 anti-CD46 antibody drug conjugates potently andselectively reduce the viability of a bone-metastasizing prostate cancercell line. Prostate cancer and control cells were incubated with the2B10 IgG conjugated to monomethyl auristatin F (2B10-MC-vc-PAB-MMAF) atthe indicated concentrations for 96 hrs. Cell viability was assessed byLive/Dead Cell Viability assay (Invitrogen/Life Technologies) and IC50was estimated to be between 200-400 pM.

Thus, in various embodiments, it is recognized that the targetingmolecule (e.g., the targeting antibody) can be attached directly orthrough a linker to a drug that is to be delivered directly to thetumor. Such drugs are well known to those of skill in the art andinclude, but are not limited to, anti-cancer antibodies (e.g.,HERCEPTIN®), antimetabolites, alkylating agents, topoisomeraseinhibitors, microtubule targeting agents, kinase inhibitors, proteinsynthesis inhibitors, somatostatin analogs, glucocorticoids, aromatoseinhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, protein Kinase B (PKB) inhibitors,phosphatidylinositol, 3-Kinase (PI3K) Inhibitors, cyclin dependentkinase inhibitors, anti-TRAIL molecules, MEK inhibitors, and the like.In certain embodiments the anti-cancer compounds include, but are notlimited to flourouracil (5-FU), capecitabine/XELODA,5-Trifluoromethyl-2′-deoxyuridine, methotrexate sodium,raltitrexed/Tomudex, pemetrexed/Alimta®, cytosine Arabinoside(Cytarabine, Ara-C)/Thioguanine, 6-mercaptopurine (Mercaptopurine,6-MP), azathioprine/Azasan, 6-thioguanine (6-TG)/Purinethol (TEVA),pentostatin/Nipent, fludarabine phosphate/Fludara cladribine (2-CdA,2-chlorodeoxyadenosine)/Leustatin, floxuridine (5-fluoro-2)/FUDR(Hospira, Inc.), ribonucleotide Reductase Inhibitor (RNR),cyclophosphamide/Cytoxan (BMS), neosar, ifosfamide/Mitoxana, thiotepa,BCNU—1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitosourea,1,-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-lnitrosourea, methyl CCNU,hexamethylmelamine, busulfan/Myleran, procarbazine HCL/Matulane,dacarbazine (DTIC), chlorambucil/Leukaran melphalan/Alkeran, cisplatin(Cisplatinum, CDDP)/Platinol, carboplatin/Paraplatin,oxaliplatin/Eloxitan, bendamustine, carmustine, chloromethine,dacarbazine (DTIC), fotemustine, lomustine, mannosulfan, nedaplatin,nimustine, prednimustine, ranimustine, satraplatin, semustine,streptozocin, temozolomide, treosulfan, triaziquone, triethylenemelamine, thioTEPA, triplatin tetranitrate, trofosfamide, uramustine,doxorubicin HCL/Doxil, daunorubicin citrate/Daunoxome mitoxantroneHCL/Novantrone, actinomycin D, etoposide/Vepesid, topotecanHCL/Hycamtin, teniposide (VM-26), irinotecan HCL(CPT-11)/, camptosarcamptothecin, Belotecan, rubitecan, vincristine, vinblastine sulfate,vinorelbine tartrate, vindesine sulphate, paclitaxel/Taxol,docetaxel/Taxotere, nanoparticle paclitaxel, abraxane, ixabepilone,larotaxel, ortataxel, tesetaxel, vinflunine, and the like. In certainembodiments the anti-cancer drug(s) comprise one or more drugs selectedfrom the group consisting of carboplatin (e.g., PARAPLATIN®), Cisplatin(e.g., PLATINOL®, PLATINOL-AQ®), Cyclophosphamide (e.g., CYTOXAN®,NEOSAR®), Docetaxel (e.g., TAXOTERE®), Doxorubicin (e.g., ADRIAMYCIN®),Erlotinib (e.g., TARCEVA®), Etoposide (e.g., VEPESID®), Fluorouracil(e.g., 5-FU®), Gemcitabine (e.g., GEMZAR®), imatinib mesylate (e.g.,GLEEVEC®), Irinotecan (e.g., CAMPTOSAR®), Methotrexate (e.g., FOLEX®,MEXATE®, AMETHOPTERIN®), Paclitaxel (e.g., TAXOL®, ABRAXANE®), Sorafinib(e.g., NEXAVAR®), Sunitinib (e.g., SUTENT®), Topotecan (e.g.,HYCAMTIN®), Vinblastine (e.g., VELBAN®), Vincristine (e.g., ONCOVIN®,VINCASAR PFS®). In certain embodiments the anti-cancer drug comprisesone or more drugs selected from the group consisting of retinoic acid, aretinoic acid derivative, doxirubicin, vinblastine, vincristine,cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, a camptothecinderivative, interferon, tamoxifen, and taxol. In certain embodiments theanti-cancer compound is selected from the group consisting of abraxane,doxorubicin, pamidronate disodium, anastrozole, exemestane,cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, toremifene, letrozole, trastuzumab,megestroltamoxifen, paclitaxel, docetaxel, capecitabine, goserelinacetate, zoledronic acid, vinblastine, etc.), an antisense molecule, anSiRNA, and the like.

Alternatively, the effector molecule can comprise an encapsulationsystem, such as a viral capsid, a liposome, or micelle that contains atherapeutic composition such as a drug, a nucleic acid (e.g. anantisense nucleic acid or another nucleic acid to be delivered to thecell), or another therapeutic moiety that is preferably shielded fromdirect exposure to the circulatory system. Means of preparing liposomesattached to antibodies are well known to those of skill in the art (see,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,735, Connor et al. (1985) Pharm. Ther., 28:341-365, and the like).

B) Attachment of the Antibody to the Effector.

One of skill will appreciate that the anti-CD46 CPP1 antibodiesdescribed herein and the effector molecule(s) can be joined together inany order. Thus, where antibody is a single chain polypeptide, theeffector molecule can be joined to either the amino or carboxy terminiof the targeting molecule. The antibody can also be joined to aninternal region of the effector molecule, or conversely, the effectormolecule can be joined to an internal location of the antibody, as longas the attachment does not interfere with the respective activities ofthe molecules.

The antibody and the effector can be attached by any of a number ofmeans well known to those of skill in the art. Typically the effector isconjugated, either directly or through a linker (spacer), to theantibody. However, in certain embodiments, where both the effectormolecule is or comprises a polypeptide it is preferable to recombinantlyexpress the chimeric molecule as a single-chain fusion protein.

Conjugation of the Effector Molecule to the Antibody.

In one embodiment, the anti-CD46 CPP1 specific antibody is chemicallyconjugated to the effector molecule (e.g., a cytotoxin, a label, aligand, or a drug or liposome, etc.). Means of chemically conjugatingmolecules are well known to those of skill.

The procedure for attaching an effector to an antibody will varyaccording to the chemical structure of the effector and/or antibody.Polypeptides typically contain variety of functional groups; e.g.,carboxylic acid (COOH) or free amine (—NH₂) groups, that are availablefor reaction with a suitable functional group on an effector molecule tobind the effector thereto.

Alternatively, the antibody and/or the effector can be derivatized toexpose or attach additional reactive functional groups. Thederivatization can involve attachment of any of a number of linkermolecules such as those available from Pierce Chemical Company, RockfordIll.

A “linker”, as used herein, is a molecule that is used to join thetargeting molecule to the effector molecule. The linker is capable offorming covalent bonds to both the targeting molecule and to theeffector molecule. Suitable linkers are well known to those of skill inthe art and include, but are not limited to, straight or branched-chaincarbon linkers, heterocyclic carbon linkers, or peptide linkers. Wherethe targeting molecule and the effector molecule are polypeptides, thelinkers may be joined to the constituent amino acids through their sidegroups (e.g., through a disulfide linkage to cysteine). However, in apreferred embodiment, the linkers will be joined to the alpha carbonamino or carboxyl groups of the terminal amino acids.

The immunoconjugates can be made using a variety of bifunctional proteincoupling agents such as N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithiol) propionate(SPDP), iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters(such as dimethyl adipimidate HCL), active esters (such asdisuccinimidyl suberate), aldehydes (such as glutareldehyde), bis-azidocompounds (such as bis (p-azidobenzoyl) hexanediamine), bis-diazoniumderivatives (such as bis-(p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine),diisocyanates (such as tolyene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-activefluorine compounds (such as 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene). Forexample, a ricin immunotoxin can be prepared as described in Vitetta etal., Science 238: 1098 (1987). Carbon-14-labeled1-isothiocyanatobenzyl-3-methyldiethylene triaminepentaacetic acid(MX-DTPA) is an exemplary chelating agent for conjugation ofradionucleotide to the antibody (see, e.g., WO94/11026).

Many procedures and linker molecules for attachment of various compoundsincluding radionuclide metal chelates, toxins and drugs to proteins suchas antibodies are known (see, e.g., European Patent Application No.188,256; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,671,958, 4,659,839, 4,414,148, 4,699,784;4,680,338; 4,569,789; and 4,589,071; and Borlinghaus et al. (1987)Cancer Res. 47: 4071-4075). In particular, production of variousimmunotoxins is well-known within the art and can be found, for examplein “Monoclonal Antibody-Toxin Conjugates: Aiming the Magic Bullet,”Thorpe et al., Monoclonal Antibodies in Clinical Medicine, AcademicPress, pp. 168-190 (1982), Waldmann (1991) Science, 252: 1657, U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,545,985 and 4,894,443.

In some circumstances, it is desirable to free the effector from theantibody when the immunoconjugate has reached its target site.Therefore, immunoconjugates comprising linkages that are cleavable inthe vicinity of the target site may be used when the effector is to bereleased at the target site. Cleaving of the linkage to release theagent from the antibody may be prompted by enzymatic activity orconditions to which the immunoconjugate is subjected either inside thetarget cell or in the vicinity of the target site. When the target siteis a tumor, a linker which is cleavable under conditions present at thetumor site (e.g. when exposed to tumor-associated enzymes or acidic pH)may be used.

A number of different cleavable linkers are known to those of skill inthe art. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,618,492; 4,542,225, and 4,625,014. Themechanisms for release of an agent from these linker groups include, forexample, irradiation of a photolabile bond and acid-catalyzedhydrolysis. U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,958, for example, includes a descriptionof immunoconjugates comprising linkers which are cleaved at the targetsite in vivo by the proteolytic enzymes of the patient's complementsystem. In view of the large number of methods that have been reportedfor attaching a variety of radiodiagnostic compounds, radiotherapeuticcompounds, drugs, toxins, and other agents to antibodies one skilled inthe art will be able to determine a suitable method for attaching agiven agent to an antibody or other polypeptide.

Conjugation of Chelates.

In certain embodiments, the effector comprises a chelate that isattached to an antibody or to an epitope tag. The anti-CD46 CPP1specific antibody bears a corresponding epitope tag or antibody so thatsimple contacting of the antibody to the chelate results in attachmentof the antibody with the effector. The combining step can be performedbefore the moiety is used (targeting strategy) or the target tissue canbe bound to the antibody before the chelate is delivered. Methods ofproducing chelates suitable for coupling to various targeting moietiesare well known to those of skill in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.6,190,923, 6,187,285, 6,183,721, 6,177,562, 6,159,445, 6,153,775,6,149,890, 6,143,276, 6,143,274, 6,139,819, 6,132,764, 6,123,923,6,123,921, 6,120,768, 6,120,751, 6,117,412, 6,106,866, 6,096,290,6,093,382, 6,090,800, 6,090,408, 6,088,613, 6,077,499, 6,075,010,6,071,494, 6,071,490, 6,060,040, 6,056,939, 6,051,207, 6,048,979,6,045,821, 6,045,775, 6,030,840, 6,028,066, 6,022,966, 6,022,523,6,022,522, 6,017,522, 6,015,897, 6,010,682, 6,010,681, 6,004,533, and6,001,329).

Production of Fusion Proteins.

Where the antibody and/or the effector is relatively short (i.e., lessthan about 50 amino acids) they can be synthesized using standardchemical peptide synthesis techniques. Where both molecules arerelatively short the chimeric molecule may be synthesized as a singlecontiguous polypeptide. Alternatively the targeting molecule and theeffector molecule may be synthesized separately and then fused bycondensation of the amino terminus of one molecule with the carboxylterminus of the other molecule thereby forming a peptide bond.Alternatively, the targeting and effector molecules can each becondensed with one end of a peptide spacer molecule thereby forming acontiguous fusion protein.

Solid phase synthesis in which the C-terminal amino acid of the sequenceis attached to an insoluble support followed by sequential addition ofthe remaining amino acids in the sequence is the preferred method forthe chemical synthesis of the polypeptides of this invention. Techniquesfor solid phase synthesis are described by Barany and Merrifield,Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis; pp. 3-284 in The Peptides: Analysis,Synthesis, Biology. Vol. 2: Special Methods in Peptide Synthesis, PartA., Merrifield, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 85: 2149-2156 (1963), andStewart et al., Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2nd ed. Pierce Chem. Co.,Rockford, Ill. (1984).

In certain embodiments, the chimeric fusion proteins of the presentinvention are synthesized using recombinant DNA methodology. Generallythis involves creating a DNA sequence that encodes the fusion protein,placing the DNA in an expression cassette under the control of aparticular promoter, expressing the protein in a host, isolating theexpressed protein and, if required, renaturing the protein.

DNA encoding the fusion proteins of this invention can be prepared byany suitable method, including, for example, cloning and restriction ofappropriate sequences or direct chemical synthesis by methods such asthe phosphotriester method of Narang et al. (1979) Meth. Enzymol. 68:90-99; the phosphodiester method of Brown et al. (1979) Meth. Enzymol.68: 109-151; the diethylphosphoramidite method of Beaucage et al. (1981)Tetra. Lett., 22: 1859-1862; and the solid support method of U.S. Pat.No. 4,458,066.

Chemical synthesis produces a single stranded oligonucleotide. This canbe converted into double stranded DNA by hybridization with acomplementary sequence, or by polymerization with a DNA polymerase usingthe single strand as a template. One of skill would recognize that whilechemical synthesis of DNA is limited to sequences of about 100 bases,longer sequences can be obtained by the ligation of shorter sequences.

Alternatively, subsequences can be cloned and the appropriatesubsequences cleaved using appropriate restriction enzymes. Thefragments can then be ligated to produce the desired DNA sequence.

In certain embodiments DNA encoding fusion proteins of the presentinvention can be cloned using PCR cloning methods.

While the antibody and the effector are, in certain embodiments,essentially joined directly together, one of skill will appreciate thatthe molecules can be separated by a spacer, e.g., a peptide spacerconsisting of one or more amino acids (e.g., (Gly₄Ser)₃, SEQ ID NO:2).Generally the spacer will have no specific biological activity otherthan to join the proteins or to preserve some minimum distance or otherspatial relationship between them. However, the constituent amino acidsof the spacer may be selected to influence some property of the moleculesuch as the folding, net charge, or hydrophobicity.

The nucleic acid sequences encoding the fusion proteins can be expressedin a variety of host cells, including E. coli, other bacterial hosts,yeast, and various higher eukaryotic cells such as the COS, CHO and HeLacells lines and myeloma cell lines. The recombinant protein gene will beoperably linked to appropriate expression control sequences for eachhost.

The plasmids of the invention can be transferred into the chosen hostcell by well-known methods such as calcium chloride transformation forE. coli and calcium phosphate treatment or electroporation for mammaliancells. Cells transformed by the plasmids can be selected by resistanceto antibiotics conferred by genes contained on the plasmids, such as theamp, gpt, neo and hyg genes.

Once expressed, the recombinant fusion proteins can be purifiedaccording to standard procedures of the art, including ammonium sulfateprecipitation, affinity columns, column chromatography, gelelectrophoresis and the like (see, generally, R. Scopes (1982) ProteinPurification, Springer-Verlag, N.Y.; Deutscher (1990) Methods inEnzymology Vol. 182: Guide to Protein Purification., Academic Press,Inc. N.Y.). Substantially pure compositions of at least about 90 to 95%homogeneity are preferred, and 98 to 99% or more homogeneity are mostpreferred for pharmaceutical uses. Once purified, partially or tohomogeneity as desired, the polypeptides may then be usedtherapeutically.

One of skill in the art would recognize that after chemical synthesis,biological expression, or purification, the fusion protein may possess aconformation substantially different than the native conformations ofthe constituent polypeptides. In this case, it may be necessary todenature and reduce the polypeptide and then to cause the polypeptide tore-fold into the preferred conformation. Methods of reducing anddenaturing proteins and inducing re-folding are well known to those ofskill in the art (see, e.g., Debinski et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem., 268:14065-14070; Kreitman and Pastan (1993) Bioconjug. Chem., 4: 581-585;and Buchner, et al. (1992) Anal. Biochem., 205: 263-270).

One of skill would recognize that modifications can be made to thefusion proteins without diminishing their biological activity. Somemodifications may be made to facilitate the cloning, expression, orincorporation of the targeting molecule into a fusion protein. Suchmodifications are well known to those of skill in the art and include,for example, a methionine added at the amino terminus to provide aninitiation site, or additional amino acids placed on either terminus tocreate conveniently located restriction sites or termination codons.

Pharmaceutical Compositions.

The anti-CD46 CPP1 antibodies described herein and/or immunoconjugatesthereof are useful for parenteral, topical, oral, or localadministration (e.g. injected into a tumor site), aerosoladministration, or transdermal administration, for prophylactic, butprincipally for therapeutic treatment. The pharmaceutical compositionscan be administered in a variety of unit dosage forms depending upon themethod of administration. For example, unit dosage forms suitable fororal administration include powder, tablets, pills, capsules andlozenges. It is recognized that the antibodies described herein and/orimmunoconjugates thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprisingantibodies described herein and/or immunoconjugates thereof, whenadministered orally, are preferably protected from digestion. This canbe accomplished by a number of means known to those of skill in the art,e.g., by complexing the protein with a composition to render itresistant to acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis or by packaging the proteinin an appropriately resistant carrier such as a liposome. Means ofprotecting proteins from digestion are well known in the art.

In various embodiments a composition, e.g., a pharmaceuticalcomposition, containing one or a combination of anti-CD46 CPP1antibodies, or antigen-binding portion(s) thereof, or immunoconjugatesthereof, formulated together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrierare provided.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any andall solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungalagents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like that arephysiologically compatible. Preferably, the carrier is suitable forintravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, parenteral, spinal orepidermal administration (e.g., by injection or infusion). Depending onthe route of administration, the active compound, i.e., antibody,immunoconjugate, may be coated in a material to protect the compoundfrom the action of acids and other natural conditions that mayinactivate the compound.

In certain embodiments the antibody and/or immunoconjugate can beadministered in the “native” form or, if desired, in the form of salts,esters, amides, prodrugs, derivatives, and the like, provided the salt,ester, amide, prodrug or derivative is suitable pharmacologically, i.e.,effective in the present method(s). Salts, esters, amides, prodrugs andother derivatives of the active agents can be prepared using standardprocedures known to those skilled in the art of synthetic organicchemistry and described, for example, by March (1992) Advanced OrganicChemistry; Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure, 4th Ed. N.Y.Wiley-Interscience, and as described above.

By way of illustration, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt can beprepared for any of the antibodies and/or immunoconjugates describedherein having a functionality capable of forming a salt. Apharmaceutically acceptable salt is any salt that retains the activityof the parent compound and does not impart any deleterious or untowardeffect on the subject to which it is administered and in the context inwhich it is administered.

In various embodiments pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be derivedfrom organic or inorganic bases. The salt may be a mono or polyvalention. Of particular interest are the inorganic ions, lithium, sodium,potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Organic salts may be made withamines, particularly ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and trialkylamines or ethanol amines. Salts may also be formed with caffeine,tromethamine and similar molecules.

Methods of formulating pharmaceutically active agents as salts, esters,amide, prodrugs, and the like are well known to those of skill in theart. For example, salts can be prepared from the free base usingconventional methodology that typically involves reaction with asuitable acid. Generally, the base form of the drug is dissolved in apolar organic solvent such as methanol or ethanol and the acid is addedthereto. The resulting salt either precipitates or can be brought out ofsolution by addition of a less polar solvent. Suitable acids forpreparing acid addition salts include, but are not limited to bothorganic acids, e.g., acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvicacid, oxalic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid,fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid,mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid,p-toluenesulfonic acid, salicylic acid, and the like, as well asinorganic acids, e.g., hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuricacid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like. An acid addition saltcan be reconverted to the free base by treatment with a suitable base.Certain particularly preferred acid addition salts of the active agentsherein include halide salts, such as may be prepared using hydrochloricor hydrobromic acids. Conversely, preparation of basic salts of theactive agents of this invention are prepared in a similar manner using apharmaceutically acceptable base such as sodium hydroxide, potassiumhydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, trimethylamine, or thelike. Particularly preferred basic salts include alkali metal salts,e.g., the sodium salt, and copper salts.

For the preparation of salt forms of basic drugs, the pKa of thecounterion is preferably at least about 2 pH units lower than the pKa ofthe drug. Similarly, for the preparation of salt forms of acidic drugs,the pKa of the counterion is preferably at least about 2 pH units higherthan the pKa of the drug. This permits the counterion to bring thesolution's pH to a level lower than the pH_(max) to reach the saltplateau, at which the solubility of salt prevails over the solubility offree acid or base. The generalized rule of difference in pKa units ofthe ionizable group in the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and inthe acid or base is meant to make the proton transfer energeticallyfavorable. When the pKa of the API and counterion are not significantlydifferent, a solid complex may form but may rapidly disproportionate(i.e., break down into the individual entities of drug and counterion)in an aqueous environment.

Preferably, the counterion is a pharmaceutically acceptable counterion.Suitable anionic salt forms include, but are not limited to acetate,benzoate, benzylate, bitartrate, bromide, carbonate, chloride, citrate,edetate, edisylate, estolate, fumarate, gluceptate, gluconate,hydrobromide, hydrochloride, iodide, lactate, lactobionate, malate,maleate, mandelate, mesylate, methyl bromide, methyl sulfate, mucate,napsylate, nitrate, pamoate (embonate), phosphate and diphosphate,salicylate and disalicylate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate,tosylate, triethiodide, valerate, and the like, while suitable cationicsalt forms include, but are not limited to aluminum, benzathine,calcium, ethylene diamine, lysine, magnesium, meglumine, potassium,procaine, sodium, tromethamine, zinc, and the like.

Preparation of esters typically involves functionalization of hydroxyland/or carboxyl groups that are present within the molecular structureof the antibody and/or immunoconjugate. In certain embodiments, theesters are typically acyl-substituted derivatives of free alcoholgroups, i.e., moieties that are derived from carboxylic acids of theformula RCOOH where R is alky, and preferably is lower alkyl. Esters canbe reconverted to the free acids, if desired, by using conventionalhydrogenolysis or hydrolysis procedures.

Amides can also be prepared using techniques known to those skilled inthe art or described in the pertinent literature. For example, amidesmay be prepared from esters, using suitable amine reactants, or they maybe prepared from an anhydride or an acid chloride by reaction withammonia or a lower alkyl amine.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies and/orimmunoconjugates described herein can be administered alone or incombination therapy, i.e., combined with other agents. For example, thecombination therapy can include a an antibody or immunoconjugate with atleast one or more additional therapeutic agents, such as the anti-canceragents described infra. The pharmaceutical compositions can also beadministered in conjunction with radiation therapy and/or surgery.

A composition comprising the antibodies and/or immunoconjugatesdescribed herein can be administered by a variety of methods known inthe art. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the route and/ormode of administration will vary depending upon the desired results. Theactive compounds can be prepared with carriers that will protect thecompound against rapid release, such as a controlled releaseformulation, including implants, transdermal patches, andmicroencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatiblepolymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides,polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid. Manymethods for the preparation of such formulations are patented orgenerally known to those skilled in the art (see, e.g., Sustained andControlled Release Drug Delivery Systems, J. R. Robinson, ed., MarcelDekker, Inc., New York, 1978).

In certain embodiments administration of an anti-CD46 CPP1 antibody orimmunoconjugate may be facilitated by coating the antibody orimmunoconjugate composition, or co-administering the antibody orimmunoconjugate, a material to prevent its inactivation. For example,the compound may be administered to a subject in an appropriate carrier,for example, liposomes, or a diluent. Pharmaceutically acceptablediluents include, but are not limited to, saline and aqueous buffersolutions. Liposomes include, but are not limited to,water-in-oil-in-water CGF emulsions as well as conventional liposomes(Strej an et al. (1984) J. Neuroimmunol, 7: 27).

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include sterile aqueous solutionsor dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation ofsterile injectable solutions or dispersion. The use of such media andagents for pharmaceutically active substances is known in the art.Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible withthe active compound, use thereof in the pharmaceutical compositions ofis contemplated. Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporatedinto the compositions.

In various embodiments the therapeutic compositions are typicallysterile and stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage. Thecomposition(s) can be formulated as a solution, a microemulsion, in alipid or liposome, or other ordered structure suitable to contain highdrug concentration(s). In certain embodiments the carrier can be asolvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol,polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethyleneglycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof. The properfluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such aslecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the caseof dispersion and by the use of surfactants. In many cases, it will bepreferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcoholssuch as mannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride in the composition.Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought aboutby including in the composition an agent that delays absorption, forexample, monostearate salts and gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the activecompound (e.g., antibodies and/or immunoconjugates described herein) inthe required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combinationof ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by sterilizationmicrofiltration. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporatingthe active compound into a sterile vehicle that contains a basicdispersion medium and the required other ingredients from thoseenumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation ofsterile injectable solutions, illustrative methods of preparationinclude vacuum drying, and freeze-drying (lyophilization) that yield apowder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredientfrom a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.

Dosage regimens are adjusted to provide the optimum desired response(e.g., a therapeutic response). For example, a single bolus may beadministered, several divided doses may be administered over time or thedose may be proportionally reduced or increased as indicated by theexigencies of the therapeutic situation. For example, in certainembodiments, the antibodies and/or immunoconjugates described herein maybe administered once or twice daily, or once or twice weekly, or once ortwice monthly by subcutaneous injection.

It is especially advantageous to formulate parenteral compositions inunit dosage form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage.Unit dosage form as used herein refers to physically discrete unitssuited as unitary dosages for the subjects to be treated. Each unitcontains a predetermined quantity of active compound calculated toproduce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the requiredpharmaceutical carrier. The specifications for the unit dosage forms aredictated by and directly dependent on (a) the unique characteristics ofthe active compound and the particular therapeutic effect to beachieved, and (b) the limitations inherent in the art of compoundingsuch an active compound for the treatment of individuals.

In certain embodiments the formulation comprises a pharmaceuticallyanti-oxidant. Examples of pharmaceutically-acceptable antioxidantsinclude: (1) water soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, cysteinehydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfiteand the like; (2) oil-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate,butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT),lecithin, propyl gallate, alpha-tocopherol, and the like; and (3) metalchelating agents, such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid(EDTA), sorbitol, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like.

For the therapeutic compositions, formulations of the antibodies and/orimmunoconjugates described herein include those suitable for oral,nasal, topical (including buccal and sublingual), rectal, vaginal and/orparenteral administration. The formulations may conveniently bepresented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any methods knownin the art of pharmacy. The amount of active ingredient which can becombined with a carrier material to produce a single dosage form willvary depending upon the subject being treated, and the particular modeof administration. The amount of active ingredient that can be combinedwith a carrier material to produce a single dosage form will generallybe that amount of the composition which produces a therapeutic effect.Generally, out of one hundred percent, this amount will range from about0.001 percent to about ninety percent of active ingredient, preferablyfrom about 0.005 percent to about 70 percent, most preferably from about0.01 percent to about 30 percent.

Formulations of antibodies and/or immunoconjugates described herein thatare suitable for vaginal administration also include pessaries, tampons,creams, gels, pastes, foams or spray formulations containing suchcarriers as are known in the art to be appropriate. Dosage forms for thetopical or transdermal administration of antibodies and/orimmunoconjugates described herein include powders, sprays, ointments,pastes, creams, lotions, gels, solutions, patches and inhalants. Incertain embodiments the active compound may be mixed under sterileconditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and with anypreservatives, buffers, or propellants that may be required.

The phrases “parenteral administration” and “administered parenterally”as used herein means modes of administration other than enteral andtopical administration, usually by injection, and include, withoutlimitation, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarterial, intrathecal,intracapsular, intraorbital, intracardiac, intradermal, intraperitoneal,transtracheal, subcutaneous, subcuticular, intraarticular, subcapsular,subarachnoid, intraspinal, epidural and intrasternal injection, andinfusion.

Examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers that may beemployed in the pharmaceutical compositions comprising antibodies and/orimmunoconjugates described herein include, but are not limited to water,ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethyleneglycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils,such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters, such as ethyl oleate,and the like. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the useof coating materials, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of therequired particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use ofsurfactants.

In various embodiments these compositions may also contain adjuvantssuch as preservatives, wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersingagents. Particular examples of adjuvants that are well-known in the artinclude, for example, inorganic adjuvants (such as aluminum salts, e.g.,aluminum phosphate and aluminum hydroxide), organic adjuvants (e.g.,squalene), oil-based adjuvants, virosomes (e.g., virosomes that containa membrane-bound hemagglutinin and neuraminidase derived from theinfluenza virus).

Prevention of presence of microorganisms in formulations may be ensuredboth by sterilization procedures, and/or by the inclusion of variousantibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben,chlorobutanol, phenol sorbic acid, and the like. It may also bedesirable to include isotonic agents, such as sugars, sodium chloride,and the like into the compositions. In addition, prolonged absorption ofthe injectable pharmaceutical form may be brought about by the inclusionof agents that delay absorption such as aluminum monostearate andgelatin.

When the antibodies and/or immunoconjugates described herein areadministered as pharmaceuticals, to humans and animals, they can begiven alone or as a pharmaceutical composition containing, for example,0.001 to 90% (more preferably, 0.005 to 70%, such as 0.01 to 30%) ofactive ingredient in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier.

Regardless of the route of administration selected, the antibodiesand/or immunoconjugates described herein, that may be used in a suitablehydrated form, and/or the pharmaceutical compositions, are formulatedinto pharmaceutically acceptable dosage forms by conventional methodsknown to those of skill in the art.

Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients (e.g., antibodies and/orimmunoconjugates described herein) in the pharmaceutical compositions ofthe present invention may be varied so as to obtain an amount of theactive ingredient which is effective to achieve the desired therapeuticresponse for a particular patient, composition, and mode ofadministration, without being toxic to the patient. The selected dosagelevel will depend upon a variety of pharmacokinetic factors includingthe activity of the particular compositions of the present inventionemployed, or the ester, salt or amide thereof, the route ofadministration, the time of administration, the rate of excretion of theparticular compound being employed, the duration of the treatment, otherdrugs, compounds and/or materials used in combination with theparticular compositions employed, the age, sex, weight, condition,general health and prior medical history of the patient being treated,and like factors well known in the medical arts. A physician orveterinarian having ordinary skill in the art can readily determine andprescribe the effective amount of the pharmaceutical compositionrequired. For example, the physician or veterinarian could start dosesof the compounds of the invention employed in the pharmaceuticalcomposition at levels lower than that required in order to achieve thedesired therapeutic effect and gradually increase the dosage until thedesired effect is achieved. In general, a suitable daily dose ofantibodies and/or immunoconjugates described herein will be that amountof the compound which is the lowest dose effective to produce atherapeutic effect. Such an effective dose will generally depend uponthe factors described above. In certain embodiments, it is preferredthat administration be intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, orsubcutaneous, preferably administered proximal to the site of thetarget. If desired, the effective daily dose of a therapeuticcomposition may be administered a single dosage, or as two, three, four,five, six or more sub-doses administered separately at appropriateintervals throughout the day, optionally, in unit dosage forms. While itis possible for antibodies and/or immunoconjugates described herein tobe administered alone, it is typically preferable to administer thecompound(s) as a pharmaceutical formulation (composition).

In certain embodiments the therapeutic compositions can be administeredwith medical devices known in the art. For example, in a illustrativeembodiment, antibodies and/or immunoconjugates described herein can beadministered with a needleless hypodermic injection device, such as thedevices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,163, 5,383,851, 5,312,335,5,064,413, 4,941,880, 4,790,824, or 4,596,556. Examples of usefulwell-known implants and modules are described for example in U.S. Pat.No. 4,487,603, which discloses an implantable micro-infusion pump fordispensing medication at a controlled rate, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,194,which discloses a therapeutic device for administering medicationsthrough the skin, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,233, which discloses amedication infusion pump for delivering medication at a precise infusionrate, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,224, which discloses a variable flowimplantable infusion apparatus for continuous drug delivery, in U.S.Pat. No. 4,439,196, which discloses an osmotic drug delivery systemhaving multi-chamber compartments, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,196, whichdiscloses an osmotic drug delivery system. Many other such implants,delivery systems, and modules are known to those skilled in the art.

In certain embodiments, the anti-CD46 CPP1 antibodies and/orimmunoconjugates described herein can be formulated to ensure properdistribution in vivo. For example, the blood-brain barrier (BBB)excludes many highly hydrophilic compounds. To ensure that thetherapeutic compounds of the invention cross the BBB (if desired), theycan be formulated, for example, in liposomes. For methods ofmanufacturing liposomes, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,522,811; 5,374,548;and 5,399,331. The liposomes may comprise one or more moieties which areselectively transported into specific cells or organs, thus enhancetargeted drug delivery (see, e.g., Ranade (1989) J. Clin. Pharmacol. 29:685). Illustrative targeting moieties include, but are not limited tofolate or biotin (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,016); mannosides(Umezawa et al., (1988) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 153: 1038);antibodies (Bloeman et al. (1995) FEBS Lett. 357:140; Owais et al.(1995) Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 39:180); surfactant protein Areceptor (Briscoe et al. (1995) Am. J. Physiol. 1233:134).

Kits.

Where a radioactive, or other, effector is used as a diagnostic and/ortherapeutic agent, it is frequently impossible to put the ready-for-usecomposition at the disposal of the user, because of the often poor shelflife of the radiolabeled compound and/or the short half-life of theradionuclide used. In such cases the user can carry out the labelingreaction with the radionuclide in the clinical hospital, physician'soffice, or laboratory. For this purpose, or other purposes, the variousreaction ingredients can then be offered to the user in the form of aso-called “kit”. The kit is preferably designed so that themanipulations necessary to perform the desired reaction should be assimple as possible to enable the user to prepare from the kit thedesired composition by using the facilities that are at his disposal.Therefore the invention also relates to a kit for preparing acomposition according to this invention.

In certain embodiments, such a kit comprises one or more antibodies orimmumoconjugates described herein. The antibodies or immumoconjugatescan be provided, if desired, with inert pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier and/or formulating agents and/or adjuvants is/are added. Inaddition, the kit optionally includes a solution of a salt or chelate ofa suitable radionuclide (or other active agent), and (iii) instructionsfor use with a prescription for administering and/or reacting theingredients present in the kit.

The kit to be supplied to the user may also comprise the ingredient(s)defined above, together with instructions for use, whereas the solutionof a salt or chelate of the radionuclide, defined sub (ii) above, whichsolution has a limited shelf life, may be put to the disposal of theuser separately.

The kit can optionally, additionally comprise a reducing agent and/or,if desired, a chelator, and/or instructions for use of the compositionand/or a prescription for reacting the ingredients of the kit to formthe desired product(s). If desired, the ingredients of the kit may becombined, provided they are compatible.

In certain embodiments, the immunoconjugate can simply be produced bycombining the components in a neutral medium and causing them to react.For that purpose the effector may be presented to the antibody, forexample, in the form of a chelate.

When kit constituent(s) are used as component(s) for pharmaceuticaladministration (e.g. as an injection liquid) they are preferablysterile. When the constituent(s) are provided in a dry state, the usershould preferably use a sterile physiological saline solution as asolvent. If desired, the constituent(s) may be stabilized in theconventional manner with suitable stabilizers, for example, ascorbicacid, gentisic acid or salts of these acids, or they may comprise otherauxiliary agents, for example, fillers, such as glucose, lactose,mannitol, and the like.

While the instructional materials, when present, typically comprisewritten or printed materials they are not limited to such. Any mediumcapable of storing such instructions and communicating them to an enduser is contemplated by this invention. Such media include, but are notlimited to electronic storage media (e.g., magnetic discs, tapes,cartridges, chips), optical media (e.g., CD ROM), and the like. Suchmedia may include addresses to internet sites that provide suchinstructional materials.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are offered to illustrate, but not to limit theclaimed invention.

Example 1 Human Monoclonal Antibody that Induces Tumor-SelectiveInternalization of CD46 and Epitope Therein

We have previously identified a prostate tumor targeting internalizinghuman monoclonal antibody that binds to prostate tumor cells in situresiding in their tissue microenvironment. We hereby identified theantigen bound by this antibody as human CD46 by immunoprecipitation andmass spectrometry analysis. We further mapped the binding epitope. Wedetermined that the epitope is conformational and located in the Sushidomain 1 of CD46. Furthermore, a 15 amino acid region in Sushi 1 isnecessary for binding. Interestingly, we found that our anti-CD46antibody binding to this epitope is preferentially internalized byprostate tumor cells with no significant internalization by normal cellsthat express CD46. Furthermore, we performed functional internalizationstudies using antibody-toxin (saporin) conjugates. We found that ouranti-CD46 antibody-toxin conjugate preferentially kills prostate cancercells, consistent with the differential internalization that we haveobserved for tumor cells. To further determine if this CD46 epitope isan excellent therapeutic target, we performed immunohistochemistrystudies using a panel of normal and prostate tumor tissues. We foundthat this CD46 epitope is expressed by all prostate tumors that we havestudied but is not expressed in any significant way by a broad panel ofnormal human tissues except the placental trophoblasts, which are notpresent in men, and the normal prostate, which is not a vital organ.Thus this CD46 epitope that we have identified can be targeted by ourhuman monoclonal antibody to allow tumor-selective internalization andtargeted tumor killing by antibody-toxin or antibody-drug conjugates.

Results

Identification of the Target Antigen as Human CD46

We have previously identified a human single chain antibody UA20 that(1) is internalizing, (2) binds to prostate tumor cells in situ, (3)binds to prostate cancer cell line DU145, PC3 and LnCaP but not tocontrol cells such as benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial cell lineBPH-1. In order to identify the cell surface antigen bound by UA20, weperformed immunoprecipitation (IP) studies using cell lysates preparedfrom surface biotin-labeled prostate cancer cell line DU145. Thebiotin-labeling agent (EZ-Link Sulfo-NHS-Biotin, Pierce) is non-membranepermeable and thus preferentially labels cell surface proteins. UA20scFv were covalently linked to protein A beads using the chemicalcrosslinker DSP (Pierce). As shown in FIG. 1, panels A and B, two bandsof biotinylated proteins of 55 kDa and 72 kDa were pulled down by theUA20 ScFv immobilized to protein A beads. Mass spectrometry analysisidentified both bands as human CD46. Human CD46 is a highly glycosylatedprotein that migrates as two bands on sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with apparent molecularweights between 55-72 kDa. To confirm the antigen identification result,we repeat the IP with UA20 scFv using cell lysates prepared from surfacebiotin-labeled prostate cancer cell line DU145 and the control cell lineBPH, and analyzed the IP products by Western Blot with a murinemonoclonal antibody (mAb) against human CD46 and as a referencestreptavidin-HRP. As shown in FIG. 1, panel C, both streptavidin-HRP andanti-CD46 mAb recognize the same two bands from the Du145 IP product butnot the BPH-1 IP product, confirming that UA20 binds to CD46. To furtherverify the identification results, we cloned human CD46 and expressed itin 293 cells via transient transfection. As shown in FIG. 1, panel D,binding of UA20 to CD46-transfected 293 cells is significantly increasedcompared to control cDNA-transfected 293 cells.

UA20 Binds to CCP-1, a Non-Complement Regulatory Domain of CD46

CD46 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is also known as membranecofactor protein (MCP). The extracellular portion of CD46 consists offour modules known as complement control protein repeats (CCPs) or sushidomains. The four CCPs is followed by a serine, threonine, proline-rich(STP) region that is highly glycosylated (0-linked). CCP2, CCP3 and CCP4are important for ligand binding and complement regulatory function,whereas the CCP1 and CCP2 domains are critical for measles virusbinding.

To identify the UA20 binding epitope on CD46, we made the followingdeletion mutants: CCP1 deletion mutant (CCPde1), CCP1 and CCP 2double-deletion mutant (CCPde(1, 2)), CCP2 deletion mutant (CCPde2),CCP3 deletion mutant (CCPde3) and CCP4 deletion mutant (CCPde4). Wetested binding by FACS of UA20 binding to 293 cells transfected withthese mutant plasmids. As shown in FIG. 2, UA20 binds to 293 cellstransfected with full-length human CD46, deletion mutants CCPde2 andCCPde3, but not CCPdel1 and CCPde(1, 2). Binding to CCPde4 is partiallyaffected. These results suggest that the UA20 epitope is aconformational epitope with the primary binding site residing in CCP1.

UA20 Does Not Affect Normal Complement Regulation:

Because CCP1 is not involved in complement regulatory function of CD46,binding of UA20 to this domain is not expected to induce complementdependent cytotoxicity (CDC). As shown in FIG. 3, UA20 IgG1 did nottrigger CDC in the cells that we have studied including human peripheralblood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Internalization Via a Macropinocytosis-Like Pathway:

We found that UA20 IgG is internalized by tumor cells via amacropinocytosis-like pathway. Using laser confocal microscopy, we foundthat UA20 IgG co-localized with the classic macropinocytosis markerdextran (ND70) (FIG. 4). Interestingly, macropinocytosis has been shownto be a tumor-selective internalization pathway. This selectiveinternalization mechanism is highly exploitable for therapeuticdevelopment based on CD46 targeting.

Selective Killing of Tumor Cells by Anti-CD46 Antibody-Toxin Conjugates:

The afore-described selective internalization prompted us to test iftumor cells can be selectively killed by toxin-conjugated antibodybinding to the CD46 epitope that we have defined. We biotin-labeled UA20IgG1 and mixed with streptavidin-labeled saporin toxin to form theantibody-toxin conjugate. Saporin is found in seeds and leaves of theplant Saponaria officinalis and belongs to class I ribosome-inactivatingproteins. Saporin by itself cannot enter living cells and is not toxic,but becomes potently cytotoxic when translocated to the cytosol via acarrier that is capable of entering living cells. Antibody-saporinconjugate is toxic to the target cell only when the antibody isinternalizing. We performed this functional internalization assay andfound that the UA20-saporin conjugate preferentially kills prostatecancer cells (FIG. 5), leaving normal cells little affected even if theyexpress modest levels of CD46 (see HS775LI in FIG. 5).

CD46 Epitope Expression in Tumor and Normal Human Tissues:

We performed immunohistochemistry to study tissue distribution of CD46.UA20 stained 18/18 frozen prostate cancer tissues (FIG. 6). To studyexpression on normal tissues, we used the FDA standard normal frozentissue panel for therapeutic antibody evaluation (US Biomax) thatcontains 90 tissues cores (30 organ sites from 3 individuals). We foundthat most of the normal human tissues expressed very low levels of theUA20 epitope except the placental trophoblasts and prostate glands.Because the normal prostate is not a vital organ and placentatrophoblasts are not present in men, the CD46 epitope is an excellenttarget for developing antibody-based targeted therapy as it mediatestumor-preferred internalization as afore-described.

Identification of a New Anti-CD46 Human Antibody 2B10:

We have re-screened the laser capture microdissection (LCM)-selectedprostate tumor binding antibodies by transferring the scFv genes fromphage to yeast to create a yeast surface displayed human scFv librarythat is enriched for cell surface binding antibodies. Following tworounds of selection on live prostate tumor cells, we identified a newanti-CD46 antibody 2B10. While UA20 and 2B10 share homologies, they havea different heavy chain CDR1 sequence (FIG. 8). Nonetheless, 2B10 alsobind to human CD46 and compete with UA20, indicating that they bind tothe same or closely related epitope.

We converted both UA20 and 2B10 into human IgG1s. We found that 2B10IgG1 has higher affinity towards prostate cancer cells. Measured on livetumor cells by FACS, the apparent KD for 2B10 is about 1-5 nM while forUA20 about 5-10 nM (FIG. 7).

It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein arefor illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changesin light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and areto be included within the spirit and purview of this application andscope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patentapplications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety for all purposes.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of inhibiting the growth and/orproliferation of a cancer cell that expresses or overexpresses CD46,said method comprising: contacting said cancer cell with aimmunoconjugate comprising an effector that has cytotostatic and/orcytotoxic activity attached to an antibody that specifically binds to atleast a portion of the sushi domain 1 of said CD46 comprising the aminoacid sequence KPYYEIGERVDYKCKKGYFYIPPLATHTICDR (SEQ ID NO:1)) whereinsaid antibody comprises VH CDR1, VH CDR2, and VH CDR3 of the 2B10antibody and VL CDR1, VL CDR2, and VL CDR3 of the 2B10 antibody.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said effector comprises one or more of thefollowing: a cytotoxic and/or cytostatic drug; a lipid or liposomecontaining a cytotoxic and/or cytostatic drug; a polymeric drug carriercomprising a cytotoxic and/or cytostatic drug; and a nanoparticle drugcarrier comprising a cytotoxic and/or cytostatic drug.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said drug is an anti-cancer drug.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said drug is selected from the group consisting ofauristatin, dolastatin, colchicine, combretastatin, and mTOR/PI3Kinhibitors.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said drug is monomethylauristatin F.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said drug is selectedfrom the group consisting of flourouracil (5-FU), capecitabine,5-trifluoromethyl-2′-deoxyuridine, methotrexate sodium, raltitrexed,pemetrexed, cytosine Arabinosidc, 6-mcrcaptopurinc, azathioprinc,6-thioguaninc (6-TG), pcntostatin, fludarabinc phosphate, cladribine,floxuridine (5-fluoro-2), ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor (RNR),cyclophosphamide, neosar, ifosfamide, thiotepa,1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitosourea (BCNU),1,-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-lnitrosourea, methyl (CCNU),hexamethylmelamine, busulfan, procarbazine HCL, dacarbazine (DTIC),chlorambucil, melphalan, cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin,bendamustine, carmustine, chloromethine, dacarbazine (DTIC),fotemustine, lomustine, mannosulfan, nedaplatin, nimustine,prednimustine, ranimustine, satraplatin, semustine, streptozocin,temozolomide, treosulfan, triaziquone, triethylene melamine, thioTEPA,triplatin tetranitrate, trofosfamide, uramustinc, doxorubicin,daunorubicin citrate, mitoxantronc, actinomycin D, etoposide, topotecanHCL, teniposide (VM-26), irinotecan HCL (CPT-11), camptothecin,belotecan, rubitecan, vincristine, vinblastine sulfate, vinorelbinetartrate, vindesine sulphate, paclitaxel, docetaxel, nanoparticlepaclitaxel, abraxane, ixabepilone, larotaxel, ortataxel, tesetaxel, andvinflunine.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said effector comprises acytotoxin.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said cytotoxin is selectedfrom the group consisting of Diphtheria toxin, Pseudomonas exotoxin,ricin, abrin, saporin, and thymidine kinase.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein said effector comprises a radionuclide.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein said effector comprises an anti-cancer drug.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein said anticancer drug is conjugated to saidantibody.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said anticancer drug iscontained in a lipid or liposome attached to said antibody.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said cancer cell is selected from the groupconsisting of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostatecancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, mesothelioma,lymphoma, liver cancer, urothelial cancer, stomach cancer, and cervicalcancer.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein said cancer cell is aprostate cancer cell.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said cell is ametastatic cell.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein said immunoconjugateis administered in a pharmaceutical composition comprising apharmaceutical acceptable carrier.
 17. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid administering comprises administering to a human.
 18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said administering comprises administeringparenterally.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein said immunoconjugate isadministered as an adjunct therapy to surgery and/or radiotherapy. 20.The method of claim 1, wherein said immunoconjugate is administered inconjunction with another anti-cancer drug and/or a hormone.
 21. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said antibody comprises an IgA, IgE, or IgGframework.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein said antibody is anantibody fragment selected from the group consisting of Fv, Fab,(Fab′)₂, (Fab′)₃, IgGΔCH2, and a minibody.
 23. The method of claim 1,wherein said antibody is a single chain antibody.
 24. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the VL region of said antibody is attached to the VHregion of said antibody by an amino acid linker selected from the groupconsisting of GGGGS GGGGS GGGGS (SEQ ID NO:2), GGGGS GGGGS (SEQ IDNO:3), GGGGS (SEQ ID NO:4), GS GGGGS GGGGS GGS GGGGS (SEQ ID NO:5),SGGGGS (SEQ ID NO:6), GGGS (SEQ ID NO:7), VPGV (SEQ ID NO:8), VPGVG (SEQID NO:9), GVPGVG (SEQ ID NO:10), GVG VP GVG (SEQ ID NO:11), VP GVG VPGVG (SEQ ID NO:12), GGSSRSS (SEQ ID NO:13), and GGSSRSSSSGGGGSGGGG (SEQID NO:14).
 25. A method of inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation ofa cancer cell that expresses or overexpresses CD46, said methodcomprising: contacting said cancer cell with a immunoconjugatecomprising an effector that has cytotostatic and/or cytotoxic activityattached to an antibody that specifically binds to at least a portion ofthe sushi domain 1 of said CD46 comprising the amino acid sequenceKPYYEIGERVDYKCKKGYFYIPPLATHTICDR (SEQ ID NO:1)) where said antibodycomprises the variable light (VL) chain of the 2B10 antibody and thevariable heavy (VH) chain of the 2B10 antibody.